Routes Americas 2024 Awards: The Airport Finalists

The Routes Americas 2024 Awards will celebrate excellence in airport and destination marketing, with 13 airports, five destinations and five airlines making the final this year.

Six awards are up for grabs, with three dedicated to airport excellence in route development marketing. Categorized by passenger volume—Under 5 Million, 5-20 Million and Over 20 Million—these awards recognize airports for their outstanding marketing support to airline partners.

The Destination Award recognizes destinations for their valuable support to airline partners, and the Airline Award celebrates the significance of partnerships in establishing successful and profitable routes. An Overall Winner will be chosen from the list of winners.

The Airport and Destination categories have been reviewed and scored by a panel of airline judges, while the Airline category has been reviewed and scored by a panel of editorial judges.

Today we profile the finalists from the three airport categories, with the finalists for the Destination and Airline categories featuring tomorrow. The winners will be announced on March 20 at Routes Americas 2024, taking place in Bogotá, Colombia.

More News And Analysis From Routes Americas 2024

Airport Finalists

Under 5 Million Passengers

Abbotsford International Airport, Canada

Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) handled a record 1.3 million passengers in 2023, marking a rise of almost 27% compared with 2019 levels. The airport specializes in low-cost services, allowing airlines to turn aircraft for fewer than C$600 ($444) or approximately $4 per passenger. The 2023 performance was driven by service expansion from the likes of Flair Airlines and WestJet. YXX attributes its success to an ongoing strategy to innovate and empower the region’s business community to help grow the airport, as well as positive engagement with passengers.

Aeropuerto Internacional de Queretaro, Mexico

More than 1.7 million passengers were handled by Aeropuerto Internacional de Queretaro (QRO) during 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. An incentive program contributed to the Mexican airport’s success, with over MX$24 million ($1.45 million) granted to carriers last year. Since the end of 2023, QRO has also enhanced the scheme to provided tailor-made incentives to match the specific needs and priorities of the airline. The airport’s commitment to sustainability includes collaboration with Aeronautical University in Querétaro for biofuel creation and participation in various industry programs.

Curacao-Hato International Airport, Curacao

Passenger movements at Curacao-Hato International Airport (CUR) rose 17% to 1.7 million during 2023, compared with the previous 12 months. This also marked a rise of 18% on 2019 levels. CUR’s route development strategy has focused on diversification, with a particular emphasis on South America and the U.S. Notable additions have included the return of Delta Air Lines after a 13-year absence; Copa Airlines increasing frequencies from Panama; and Azul launching a new nonstop route from Belo Horizonte. In 2024, CUR expects continued growth, with year-on-year traffic growth of 6% forecasted.

Syracuse Hancock International Airport, U.S.

In 2023, Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) achieved a record year with approximately 2.8 million passengers, marking a 12% increase over 2022. The airport expanded its portfolio by adding two new routes, increasing service on existing routes and securing the reintroduction of flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul, the only pre-pandemic hub-service that had not returned. SYR has strategically refocused its marketing efforts to target outlying areas within its extensive catchment area, spanning from Canada to Pennsylvania. This approach has helped to position the airport as a viable alternative.

5-20 Million Passengers

Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, Ezeiza, Argentina

As Argentina's main international gateway, Buenos Aires’ Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, Ezeiza (EZE), has secured a string of new routes and frequency increases over the past 12 months. Successes have included the launch of Delta Air Lines’ daily seasonal route from New York John F. Kennedy; Turkish Airlines adding extra flights from Istanbul; and Emirates’ plans to grow capacity. EZE inaugurated a new terminal during 2023, increasing the airport’s capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually.

Calgary International Airport, Canada

Calgary International Airport’s (YYC) collaborative approach involves working closely with destination airport partners to support airlines on both ends of the journey. Incentive schemes, tailored to each partner's needs, are employed to promote growth and enhance operations. In 2023, YYC welcomed a record 18.5 million passengers, added one new airline partner and saw the introduction of 24 new routes, including 10 previously unserved destinations. Strong demand also led to increased capacity on existing routes and the transition from seasonal to year-round availability for several routes.

Edmonton International Airport, Canada

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has expanded its network to more than 50 nonstop destinations and 15 airline partners, exceeding 2019 figures. The airport surpassed expectations in 2023, reaching 92% of pre-pandemic traffic levels, welcoming 7.5 million passengers. Key achievements have included WestJet's largest network expansion from YEG in the airline’s history with the launch of new domestic and U.S. routes, including to Minneapolis and Seattle. YEG also attracted new airline partners—Porter Airlines and Condor Airlines—and saw KLM increase frequencies from Amsterdam.

Medellin International Airport, Colombia

Despite the loss of Ultra Air and Viva in 2023, Medellin International Airport (MDE) handled in excess of 12 million passengers, up by almost 30% on 2019. International traffic was a major driver, with the number of passengers jumping to 3 million, compared with 1.8 million in 2019. MDE ended 2023 with 20 international routes served by 12 airlines—up from 13 international routes at the end of 2019. The Colombian airport says its tailored incentive scheme has contributed to the growth, alongside the team’s data-driven approach and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders.

Punta Cana International Airport, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) has seen month-on-month passenger growth since the start of 2022, with traffic last year topping the 10-million mark. During the year, the airport directed its efforts toward expanding its presence in the Canadian market, both in terms of passenger traffic and cargo handling. Additionally, strategic partnerships with Sky High Aviation Services and Air Century facilitated the introduction of new flights to destinations in South America and the Caribbean, catering to the evolving needs of the local market. The extension of PUJ’s Terminal B was inaugurated in 2023, paving the way for further expansion.

Over 20 Million Passengers

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, U.S.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) celebrated the inauguration of 23 new routes in 2023, including 17 started by Sun Country Airlines. Successes also included the return of Delta Air Lines’ nonstop flights to Tokyo Haneda and WestJet’s connections from Edmonton and Saskatoon. Overall passenger numbers surged by 11.3% year-on-year to 34.7 million, with international passenger activity rising by 47% to almost 3 million. MSP’s core marketing initiatives revolve around a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Airports Commission and economic development partnership Greater MSP, designed to bolster air service for the region.

Orlando International Airport, U.S.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) handled more than 58 million passengers in 2023, marking an increase of 13% over the prior year. Capacity surged by more than 15% to total almost 69 million available seats, with international capacity up by 22% thanks to the introduction of service by several ULCCs. Notable successes included the launch of Avianca’s Orlando-Quito service, helping the airport to grow its route map to 50 international destinations. MCO awarded more than $2.5 million in operating credits and marketing funds in 2023 and invested over $660,000 in advertising partnerships.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, U.S.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has added 14 new international services since the pandemic, including six in the past year. Successes in 2023 included Air Tahiti Nui’s flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Alaska Airlines’ operations to Nassau, Bahamas. Starting in May 2024, Alaska will add flights to Toronto for the first time, while Lufthansa begins a route from Munich. Delta Air Lines is also opening a route to Taipei in June. The airport works closely with each carrier to develop creative, tailor-made strategies that best suit each market.

Vancouver International Airport, Canada

Passenger numbers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) rose by 31% year-on-year to 24.9 million in 2023, helped by a 38.5% surge in transborder U.S. traffic. Air Canada launched service to Dubai, its only nonstop flight from Western Canada to the Middle East, and brought back routes to Bangkok, Osaka and Shanghai. WestJet also added flights to destinations including Atlanta and Nashville in the U.S. and Zihuatanejo in Mexico. The airport says its TeamYVR partnership approach to air service development has been key to its success.