Routes World Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Aviation

The Routes World Awards 2023 feature nine prestigious awards recognizing the exceptional contributions of organizations and individuals within the aviation industry. Following the profiling of finalists for various airport categories on October 6, attention now shifts to the nominees for the Destination, Airline, Rising Star, and Individual Leadership awards.

The Destination Award honors tourism bodies that have excelled in route development marketing. In contrast, the Airline Award highlights the importance of partnerships in establishing successful and profitable routes. The Rising Star Award acknowledges individuals early in their careers who are already making an impact, while the Individual Leadership Award celebrates lifetime achievements in the route development community.

A panel of airline judges reviewed and scored the Airport and Destination categories, while editorial judges assessed the Individual Leadership, Rising Star, and Airline categories. The winners will be announced during the Networking Evening on October 7.

Destination Award Nominees

1. Department of Tourism, Philippines: The Philippine Department of Tourism has significantly enhanced international air connectivity, launching new direct flights from North America, Europe, and Asia. Their “Love the Philippines” campaign, along with partnerships with airlines, has driven record international arrivals and economic growth.
2. Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus: Cyprus has witnessed remarkable growth, with tourism revenue up by 22.6% in 2023. Strategic incentives for airlines have increased connectivity, attracting new carriers and boosting seat capacity from key markets.
3. Japan National Tourism Organization: Focused on promoting regional tourism, Japan’s market development strategy has resulted in the launch of 45 new routes, with significant growth expected in frequencies for 2024.
4. Promotur – Canary Islands Tourist Board: The Canary Islands have launched 25 new routes, enhancing air connectivity and focusing on sustainable tourism practices to attract more visitors.
5. Visit Malta: With nearly 3 million international travelers welcomed in 2023, Visit Malta has successfully enhanced air connectivity, promoting the island’s rich culture and heritage.

Airline Award Nominees

1. Aegean Airlines, Greece: Aegean Airlines has expanded its network from Athens, introducing new routes to underserved markets and increasing frequencies to high-demand destinations.
2. British Airways, UK: BA has focused on strategic network development, launching new services and enhancing connections while adapting to changing market demands.
3. KLM, Netherlands: KLM reported a significant increase in passengers, with new services and a commitment to sustainability through the integration of sustainable aviation fuel.
4. SunExpress, Turkey: SunExpress has expanded its operations significantly, focusing on innovation and flexibility to meet market demands.
5. Wizz Air, Hungary: Wizz Air continues to grow its network extensively, preparing to introduce new Airbus A321XLRs for long-range routes.

Rising Star Nominees

1. Adda Malín Vilhjálmsdóttir, Keflavík Airport: Recognized for her achievements in enhancing airline participation and simplifying incentive schemes.
2. Maricella Valdivia, Cebu Pacific: Known for her innovative approaches to network planning and route development during her tenure.
3. Michael Garko, Sun Country Airlines: Instrumental in expanding the airline’s network and optimizing operations through innovative strategies.
4. Nina Mulhall, Aeropuertos Argentina: Focused on improving air connectivity and launching new routes across 35 airports.
5. Sarah Bin Moammar, Saudi Air Connectivity Program: Played a vital role in enhancing global air connectivity in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Individual Leadership Nominees

1. Ioanna Papadopoulou, Athens International Airport: Led transformative initiatives to position Athens as a key European hub.
2. Jay L. Lingeswara, VietJet Air: Instrumental in the airline’s growth and network expansion in both domestic and international markets.
3. Majid Khan, Saudi Air Connectivity Program: Key in attracting new airlines and expanding air connectivity across Saudi Arabia.
4. Trent Banfield, Tourism Australia: Advocated for sustainable air capacity and fostered collaborative relationships in the aviation sector.

The Routes World Awards will celebrate these outstanding efforts on October 7, recognizing the vital role played by these individuals and organizations in the advancement of the aviation industry.

Related news: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airport-business/