Navigating the Skies: Consumer Choice Center's World Airport Index Insights

Dr. Emil Panzaru, Research Director at the Consumer Choice Center, discusses the latest findings from the World Consumer Airport Index on the Powering America Podcast. The episode focuses on airports, consumer interests, and the overall travel experience for passengers.

WASHINGTON — September 1, 2026 — Dr. Emil Panzaru of the Consumer Choice Center joined the Powering America Podcast to discuss the World Consumer Airport Index, which evaluates 60 airports worldwide based on 14 categories. The conversation highlights consumer interests and experiences in air travel, comparing American airports to their international counterparts.

The World Consumer Airport Index aims to provide travelers with insights into airport performance, including factors such as accessibility, amenities, and overall passenger comfort. Panzaru emphasized the importance of understanding how American airports stack up against global standards, noting that "we really care about consumer comfort and choice and safety during their time at every airport."

Key findings from the index reveal significant disparities in airport performance. For instance, Dubai International Airport achieved zero percent delays despite ongoing regional conflicts, while Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ranked eighth overall, surprising many given its reputation for congestion. Panzaru stated, "LAX doesn't necessarily have the best reputation... but this year we wanted in our statistical methods to really capture the fact that we don't just want to grade some airports great because they do very badly."

The index serves as a valuable resource for both consumers and policymakers, highlighting areas for improvement and best practices that can be adopted across airports. Panzaru remarked, "We work in 100 countries around the world, including in the United States, and I work there as research director, which means I oversee quite a lot of what the CCC produces in terms of output of research."

The Consumer Choice Center is a public advocacy group that promotes consumer interests and innovation in policy. The organization conducts research and analysis to inform consumers and policymakers about the impact of regulations on lifestyle choices and market dynamics.

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