Fast-growing Brussels Airport (BRU) was, this week, voted as the overall winner of the World Routes Awards 2014 – while Changi, Dublin and Shannon airports were all recognised in their respective categories (see chart below).

 

The awards which took place in Chicago, recognise the air gateways that have been most successful in attracting airlines to their locations and launching new routes – both key elements in driving up duty free and travel retail sales.

 

BRU has been breaking passenger records this year and Leon Verhallen, Head of Aviation Marketing, Brussels Airport says: “This was a big surprise. After winning in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and then being recognised as ‘Highly Commended’ last year we did not believe we would be picking up this prestigious award tonight.  It has been a strong year for Brussels Airport and the team have worked hard to ensure we are supporting our airline partners, whether small regional carriers, medium-sized operators or long-haul airlines.”

 

“Katie Bland, Director Routes, UBM Live comments: “Brussels Airport has had an outstanding year welcoming four new carriers and 18 new destinations to its network.”

 

The awards, voted for exclusively by airlines, were split into five categories this year comprising four airport categories (based on traffic) and a destination category for the best marketing campaign by a tourism authority which was won by Tourism Australia.

 

Changi (left showing an impression of new concessions from DFS) was honoured in the over 50m passengers group; Dublin (20m-50m); Brussels Airport (4m-20m) and Shannon Airport (<4m)

 

Created in 1997 the World Routes Awards recognise the best in airport marketing as seen by airlines. A judging panel of senior members of the airline network planning community reviewed the lists and submissions from the nominated airports in order to determine the winners.

 

This year’s panel consisted of the following:

– Mateusz Klimek, Route Manager, LOT Polish Airlines

– Tom Prior, Network Development Longhaul, British Airways

– Wilken Bellmann, Head of Network Development Long Haul, Condor Airlines

– Jirapon Hirunrat, Director of Network Planning, Bangkok Airways

– Rick Wagstaffe, VP Procurement & Logistics, Emirates

– Dharmender Hunjan, VP Airline Partnership, Qatar Airways

– Rafael Taizhanov, Director Commercial Planning, Air Astana

– Simon Bundle, VP Industry and Int Affairs, Ukraine Int. Airlines

– Chris Kennedy, General Manager, Delta Air Lines

– Manuel Ambriz Lopez, Network Planning Director, Volaris.