The 2024 Best Airport Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Istanbul on 4 July, saw host Türkiye take one of aviation’s top accolades, alongside plaudits for others, including Italian, UK, Belgian and Nordic hubs.
Presented by the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, an aviation trade association with over 500 airport members across 55 territories, the awards recognise air transport achievements in five areas: digital transformation; environmental performance and management; human resources and workforce development; business partnership; as well as overall Best Airport gongs in five different classes by passenger numbers.
Best Airports
The prize for Best Airport with over 40 million passengers was split this year, between three-time winner Rome Fiumicino Airport and relative newcomer Istanbul. Both were praised for sustainability initiatives and competitive, innovative business development. London’s Heathrow was runner-up to the pair.
In the 25-40 million capacity field, Avinor Oslo, Norway, was out in front, thanks to its operational strength and punctuality, use of cutting edge systems for a wide range of tasks from baggage handling to snow removal, and progress towards its sustainability and zero-waste-by-2030 goals. Last year’s winner, Athens International, came second.
In the next airport size down (10-25 million passengers), the UK’s London Luton Airport took first place for its new commercial facilities as well as “increased resilience, reduced incidents and high employee satisfaction” and its decarbonisation programme. Brussels Airport came in highly commended.
Next, representing the best of the 5-10 million passenger category, Malta Airport, which was rewarded for its strong post-Covid recovery, efficiency, staff moral and excellence. Another Belgian airport, this time Brussels South Charleroi, was also singled out for praise here.
And in the smallest category, previous winner Italy’s Torino Airport took the number one spot, highlighted as a growing hub with positive community impact, “exceptional service quality” and a photovoltaic approach to sustainably supplying its energy needs. Finland’s Finavia Rovaniemi Airport came in second.
Digital transformation and Eco-Innovation
Large airport winner 2024, Rome Fiumicino, also took home the award for Digital Transformation Award, ahead of Zurich. Noted for its strategic and comprehensive digital approach to safety, capacity, efficiency and decarbonisation and host to 50 start-ups, Fiumicino is driving forward urban air mobility, ACI Europe said.
Meanwhile, France’s Toulon-Hyères Airport was awarded the Eco-Innovation Award for “its all-round environmental effectiveness.” Remarkably, the airport looks set to reduce its direct CO2 emissions by over 99% by the end of 2024. Goteborg Landvetter Airport was the runner up in this category.
HR Excellence and Business Partner Awards
When it comes to excellence in human resources (HR), Hermes Airports, in Cyprus, came first, with an HR strategy based on recognition, respect, and opportunity and an ambition to be “the employer of choice in Cyprus”. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport came second.
And finally, an individual won the Business Partner Award: Lorenzo Belicchi, Director of Aviation Consulting and Sales Excellence at SITA, IT provider to the air transport sector. Belicchi’s “outstanding contribution and active partnership” in addition to his “reliability and trustworthiness” helped him secure the honour.
