Routes Europe 2025 Awards Celebrate Connectivity
The Routes Europe 2025 Awards are set to recognize excellence in airport and destination marketing as the continent’s leading aviation and tourism professionals gather in Seville, Spain, on April 9. This year, 13 airports, five destinations, and five airlines have made the shortlist for these prestigious awards, which aim to honor outstanding contributions in route development and strategic partnerships. Six awards will be presented, including three that focus on airport excellence in route development marketing, with categories split by passenger traffic volumes: Under 5 Million, 5–20 Million, and Over 20 Million. These awards recognize airports that have gone above and beyond in supporting their airline partners and promoting regional connectivity.
The Destination Award spotlights exemplary collaboration between tourism boards and carriers, while the Airline Award celebrates the impact of strategic partnerships in building successful and sustainable routes. One standout entry will be crowned the Overall Winner across all categories, setting a benchmark for excellence in air connectivity and marketing. Airline judges have carefully selected the airport and destination finalists, and an editorial panel has chosen the airline contenders, ensuring that the awards reflect a balanced perspective from both industry experts and marketing professionals.
Among the finalists in the Under 5 Million Passenger category, Corfu Airport in Greece has impressed by reaching a record 4.3 million passengers in 2024, supported by strong season-extension initiatives and collaborative destination marketing with local tourism stakeholders. London Southend Airport in England has seen remarkable growth, achieving a 250% year-on-year increase thanks to a tailored, airline-first partnership model and creative promotional efforts, including rail station sponsorships and viral influencer collaborations. Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia recorded a milestone year with 4.7 million passengers and significant infrastructure investments that boosted capacity and passenger experience. Vilnius Airport in Lithuania has demonstrated a robust recovery with a 96% passenger recovery rate and innovative risk-sharing partnership models that attracted new airline partners and added multiple routes.
In the 5–20 Million Passenger category, Edinburgh Airport in Scotland reached record-breaking traffic with 15.8 million passengers, launching numerous new routes and securing a strong long-haul market presence outside London. Hannover Airport in Germany, with its recent Eurowings base and creative marketing campaigns such as the “HAJlights 2024” incentive program, has achieved notable year-on-year growth. Malta International Airport in Malta delivered record passenger numbers and strategically positioned the country as a year-round destination through proactive airline engagement and joint marketing campaigns. Prague Airport in the Czech Republic expanded its network significantly by adding key routes and new airline partners, and Thessaloniki Airport in Greece, under the management of Fraport Greece, has undergone a major transformation with a new terminal and upgraded facilities that have boosted both domestic and international traffic.
For the Over 20 Million Passenger category, Athens International Airport in Greece set a new record in 2024, handling 31.9 million passengers and expanding its network with significant improvements in U.S. connectivity. Brussels Airport in Belgium reached 23.6 million passengers, supported by extensive financial incentives and innovative marketing strategies that have helped it surpass pre-pandemic traffic levels. Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates broke records by welcoming 92.3 million passengers and adding 30 new routes, demonstrating its status as a global aviation hub. Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain had its busiest year ever in 2024, with 66 million passengers and a network expansion that continues to drive long-haul and underserved market growth.
The winners of the Routes Europe 2025 Awards will be revealed during the event in Seville, offering a platform to celebrate achievements in air connectivity and to set the stage for future growth in the aviation and tourism sectors.
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