The prestigious Best Airport Awards were recently held in Istanbul to recognize the best flight hubs across Europe, highlighting efficiency, staff satisfaction, and eco-innovation. The awards are presided over by the Airports Council International (ACI), representing over 500 airports in 55 countries. The 34th awards for the European region recognized excellence in various areas from busy hubs to small regional airports. French airport Toulon-Hyères Airport won the eco-innovation award for its outstanding environmental performance and innovative approach to environmental management. The airport has reduced its direct CO2 emissions by 92.5% from 2018 to 2022 and aims to reach over 99% reduction by 2024.
In terms of the best overall airport in Europe, Torino Airport in Italy won in the under 5 million annual passengers category. The airport was recognized for driving post-pandemic traffic recovery and securing new connectivity. Malta International Airport won in the 5 to 10 million passenger category for its strong recovery from the pandemic, efficient operations, motivated team, and sustainability efforts. London Luton Airport in the UK won in the 10 to 25 million passenger category for its resilience, employee satisfaction, and ambition to reach net-zero by 2040. Avinor Oslo airport won in the 25 to 40 million category for its efficiency and innovative features such as a drone detection system and autonomous snow removal.
In the category of airports with 40 million passengers or more, Istanbul and Rome’s Fiumicino hubs jointly took the top prize. Istanbul Airport, one of the continent’s newest airports, was praised for its investment in cutting-edge infrastructure, strong growth, and operational performance. The airport’s sustainability strategy includes plans for a solar power plant to fulfill all its electricity requirements. Rome Fiumicino Airport, the winner for the third consecutive year, aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Overall, the Best Airport Awards recognized airports across Europe for their excellence and achievements in various categories, from efficiency to sustainability and innovation.
The eco-innovation award, won by Toulon-Hyères Airport, acknowledged the airport’s proactive and voluntary approach to reducing carbon emissions and implementing sustainable practices. The airport has achieved significant reductions in CO2 emissions and is committed to further decarbonization by 2050. Other airports, such as Goteborg Landvetter Airport in Sweden, were highly commended in this category for their environmental initiatives. The Best Airport Awards aim to showcase airports that are leading the way in environmental sustainability and innovation, setting a benchmark for others in the industry to follow.
In addition to recognizing individual airports for their achievements, the Best Airport Awards also highlight industry trends and best practices. The awards ceremony in Istanbul brought together airport operators, industry professionals, and stakeholders to celebrate the success of the winning airports. By showcasing the best practices and innovations in the industry, the awards aim to inspire other airports to improve their operations, enhance passenger experience, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Overall, the Best Airport Awards serve as a platform to recognize and celebrate excellence in the aviation industry, while also promoting innovation and sustainability in airport operations.