The most beautiful airport in the world has been named after a top competition judged it against its competitors.

The Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that have been announced each year at UNESCO since 2015. They aim to “shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide”.

The Prix Versailles World Jury members are tasked with awarding 24 world titles in the categories of airports, campuses, passenger stations, sports, museums, emporiums, hotels and restaurants.

The official list “pays tribute to innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency and the values of social interaction and participation”.

The organisation says this is in line with the principles of intelligent sustainability, considering the projects’ ecological, social and cultural impacts.

Judges chose Zayed International in Abu Dhabi. It is the primary international airport serving the city, which is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Abu Dhabi says its airport’s design language, “interwoven with Islamic geometric motifs”, reflects Abu Dhabi’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

An art installation called the Sana Al Nour, one of the largest in the Middle East at 30 metres in diameter, directs air and light to enhance the building’s energy efficiency.

This reduces demand by 10%. At 742,000 square meters, the airport has a distinctive X-shaped design and is equipped to accommodate up to 11,000 travellers per hour, with 79 aircraft operating simultaneously.

Officials say this doubles the previous capacity, and AUH is “primed” to manage up to 45 million passengers annually. In addition, it is pioneering the world’s first nine biometric touchpoints by 2025.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Zayed International Airport embodies the UAE’s vision for the future of aviation, blending ambition with innovation and a commitment to shaping the future of airport experiences. This is a very proud moment for Abu Dhabi Airports, made even more significant as it coincides with our first anniversary and the Eid Al Etihad 53 celebrations.

“It is a moment of great pride for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. I extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, Kohn Pedersen Fox, the architectural firm behind this masterpiece, our stakeholders and partners, and the entire Abu Dhabi Airports team.”