The Annual ACI EUROPE "Best Airport Award" winners were announced yesterday during the Gala Dinner of the ACI EUROPE/World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition. Hosted by Spanish airport operator Aena, the ceremony, which recognised more outstanding performers than ever before, took place in the stunning MNAC – National Museum of Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.
 
The Best Airport Awards are an opportunity to recognise excellence, top achievements and thought leadership across an entire range of airport activities and for airports of all sizes and profiles. As the industry continues to shape its vibrant, post-pandemic future, this year’s awards have emphasised key topics such as sustainability, innovation, operational efficiency and resilience. These awards are divided into five groups based on 2019 passenger traffic (under 5 million, 5-10 million, 10-25 million, 25-40 million, and over 40 million).
 
An additional five special category awards are also given to honour outstanding performance in the areas of Accessibility, Digital Transformation, Eco-Innovation, Human Resources and World Business Partner.
 
The winners and highly commended airports were selected by an expert panel of judges comprising representatives from different associations. Several awards submissions were evaluated in partnership with other organisations, with the Accessible Airport Award reviewed in partnership with the European Disability Forum and the Eco-Innovation Award evaluated by the Airport Carbon Accreditation Advisory Board.
 
Accessible Airport Award Winner: Alicante Airport;
 
Digital Transformation Award Winner: Prague Airport;
Rome-Fiumicino Airport was also highly commended in this category.
 
Eco-Innovation Award Winner: Gatwick Airport;
 
Excellence in Human Resources Award Winner: Bologna Airport;
 Prague Airport was also highly commended in this category.
 
World Business Partner Award Winner: Smiths Detection;
 
In the under 5 million passengers category joint winners: Madeira Airport and Menorca Airport;
 
In the 5-10 million passengers category winner: Milano-Linate Airport;
 
In the 10-25 million passenger category winner: Helsinki Airport;
Porto–Francisco SA Carneiro Airport was also highly commended in this category.
 
In the 25-40 million passengers category winner: Athens International Airport;
 Brussels Airport and Avinor Oslo Airport were also highly commended in this category.
 
In the over 40 million passengers category winner: Rome-Fiumicino Airport;
 iGA Istanbul Grand Airport, Barcelona-El-Prat Airport and Madrid-Barajas Airport were also highly commended in this category.