Routes Europe 2025 Awards: The Airport Finalists

The Routes Europe 2025 Awards are set to spotlight the best in airport and destination marketing, with 13 airports, five destinations and five airlines making this year’s shortlist.

Six awards will be presented, including three that honor airport excellence in route development marketing. Split by passenger traffic—Under 5 Million, 5–20 Million and Over 20 Million—the categories recognize airports that have gone above and beyond to support their airline partners.

The Destination Award highlights standout collaboration between tourism boards and carriers, while the Airline Award celebrates the impact of strategic partnerships in building successful, sustainable routes. One standout entry will be named Overall Winner across all categories.

Airline judges selected the airport and destination finalists, while an editorial panel chose the airline contenders.

Today, we highlight the airport finalists, while tomorrow we preview the Destination and Airline categories. The winners will be revealed on April 9 at Routes Europe 2025 in Seville, Spain.

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UNDER 5 MILLION PASSENGERS

Corfu Airport, Greece

Corfu Airport (CFU), the third-largest in Fraport Greece’s portfolio, hit a record 4.3 million passengers in 2024, marking a year-on-year rise of 6.8%. The airport secured five new carriers and five new international routes during the year, while upcoming 2025 developments include eight additional international routes and four more airlines. CFU’s strategy includes strong season-extension initiatives, with financial incentives for airlines to operate during shoulder and winter months, resulting in notable off-peak traffic growth. Fraport Greece also leverages extensive market intelligence and collaborative destination marketing with tourism stakeholders, boosting CFU’s reputation as a year-round gateway to the Ionian Islands.

London Southend Airport, England

London Southend Airport (SEN) has made a strong resurgence, achieving 250% year-on-year passenger growth between 2023 and 2024, driven by the return of a three-aircraft easyJet base. In 2024, SEN secured 10 new easyJet routes alongside charter flights to Lapland and Bulgaria. The airport’s tailored, airline-first partnership model has underpinned its success, complemented by creative marketing strategies such as rail station sponsorships, viral influencer collaborations and disruptive campaigns at industry events. Looking ahead to summer 2025, SEN will further expand its network with a new UK domestic service to Cornwall Airport Newquay operated by Eastern Airways.

Tbilisi International Airport, Georgia

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) recorded a milestone year in 2024, handling 4.7 million passengers—a 29% increase year-on-year—marking the airport’s fastest growth to date and setting it on track to exceed 5 million passengers in 2025. Investments totaling $6.4 million in 2024 enhanced capacity and passenger experience, including terminal expansions, modernized border control areas and upgraded lounges. The airport welcomed 17 new airlines and recovered 16 destinations in the past two years, with highlights including new services from British Airways, Transavia and IndiGo. TBS supports its partners through customized incentive packages and robust joint marketing initiatives.

Vilnius Airport, Lithuania

Vilnius Airport (VNO) continued its strong recovery in 2024, achieving a 96% overall passenger recovery rate and 12% year-on-year capacity growth. The airport introduced a Risk Sharing Partnership model, allowing airlines to mitigate the risks of new route launches, resulting in three new routes to Lisbon, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf. In 2024, VNO invested nearly €4 million ($4.4 million) to ensure carriers can tap into this model. By year-end, the airport offered 75 routes, including nine new additions, while attracting new airline partners such as Aegean Airlines and Play. VNO also completed its new departures terminal, doubling annual capacity from 4 to 8 million passengers.

5-20 MILLION PASSENGERS

Edinburgh Airport, Scotland

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) achieved a record-breaking year in 2024, welcoming 15.8 million passengers. Seventeen new routes were launched across nine airlines, including new entrants JetBlue Airways, Emirates, Pegasus Airlines and Aurigny. Long-haul traffic surged 50% versus 2019, with EDI now offering the largest number of U.S. destinations outside London in the UK. For 2025, the airport will see 15 additional new routes and up to 21X-daily long-haul flights, including JetBlue’s expanded New York John F. Kennedy service and new Boston route. The airport’s data-led and relationship-driven approach, combined with innovative marketing, has delivered strong results.

Hannover Airport, Germany

Hannover Airport (HAJ) achieved a 13.6% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in 2024, helped by the opening of a new Eurowings base. The airport’s success is driven by a tailored, data-led approach, aligning its offerings with airline partners’ needs, including initiatives like its "HAJlights 2024" incentive program, which provides targeted financial support on select underserved routes, including all destinations in Italy. HAJ’s marketing campaigns have included city-wide activations, such as rebranding the airport’s decommissioned control tower in Eurowings’ colors, and creative promotional efforts aimed at partner travel agencies and consumers.

Malta International Airport, Malta

In 2024, Malta International Airport (MLA) welcomed a record-breaking 8.96 million passengers, reflecting a 14.8% year-on-year increase. Seat capacity grew by 13.8%, with a healthy average load factor of 86%. Notably, growth during the shoulder months (+21%) outpaced that of the summer peak, as MLA continues to successfully position Malta as a year-round destination. The airport now connects to more than 109 destinations, bolstered by new routes in 2024 including Basel (easyJet) and Norwich (Ryanair). MLA’s proactive airline engagement strategy includes joint marketing campaigns, inaugural flight celebrations and annual familiarization events that showcase Malta’s tourism offerings.

Prague Airport (PRG), Czech Republic

Prague Airport secured 48 new routes in 2024 and welcomed 15 new airline partners, while increasing frequencies on 71 routes. The airport handled 18% more passengers year-on-year, reaching 92% of pre-pandemic levels and forecasting a return to record volumes in 2025 with over 18 million passengers expected. New routes secured include Beijing (Hainan Airlines), Seoul (Asiana Airlines), Cairo (EgyptAir), Abu Dhabi (Etihad) and Toronto (Air Canada). With more than €7.5 million invested in airline marketing support, Prague Airport runs six incentive programs and partners closely with airlines and tourism bodies to promote routes and destinations.

Thessaloniki Airport, Greece

Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) handled a record 7.4 million passengers in 2024—a 5% year-on-year increase—driven by robust international traffic (+4.1%) and strong domestic growth (+6.8%). Under Fraport Greece (FG), SKG has undergone a €100 million transformation, including a new terminal, expanded gates and check-in areas, and significant service upgrades. The airport was directly linked to 31 countries via 95 routes in 2024 and welcomed three new carriers with five new international routes. In 2025, it expects four new airlines and five new routes. FG’s Shoulder Month and Winter Incentive Programs have driven year-round connectivity, with 14 airlines benefitting in spring and 17 in autumn.

OVER 20 MILLION PASSENGERS

Athens International Airport, Greece

Athens International Airport (ATH) hit a new record in 2024, handling 31.9 million passengers—up 13% from 2023 and 25% above pre-pandemic levels. The airport expanded its network to 68 airlines, 166 destinations in 55 countries and saw a significant boost in U.S. connectivity, with flights to nine destinations and 103 weekly services scheduled for 2025. ATH added six new airlines and six new destinations in 2024, including Shanghai, Sarajevo and Sharjah. Major carriers like easyJet, SKY express, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines further ramped up frequencies. For 2025, five new airlines will launch nine new routes, including Chengdu (Sichuan Airlines), Charlotte (American Airlines) and Los Angeles (Norse Atlantic Airways).

Brussels Airport, Belgium

Brussels Airport (BRU) reached 23.6 million passengers in 2024—its highest post-pandemic total—served by 68 airlines to 185 destinations. In a highly competitive region, BRU delivered significant growth with 10 new airlines and 16 new destinations launched across 2024 and 2025, including Singapore, Nairobi, Curaçao, Shanghai, Atlanta and Bangkok. With €28 million in incentives offered in 2024, BRU backs growth with a robust mix of financial support and creative marketing. Highlights include 16 social media campaigns, 12 giant displays and dozens of co-branded initiatives. Targeted strategies have helped BRU surpass 2019 traffic levels in both leisure and VFR segments.

Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates

Dubai International Airport (DXB) broke records in 2024, welcoming 92.3 million passengers—the highest annual traffic in its history. Despite slot constraints, the airport added 30 new unserved or underserved routes, welcomed 500,000 additional passengers and managed over 3,000 extra aircraft movements. New carriers in 2024 included ITA Airways, Druk Air, Air Tanzania and Hainan Airlines, with new routes to Rome, Paro, Dar es Salaam and Shenyang. The Aviation Business Management team provided support for more than 90 airlines, launched tailored incentive packages and leveraged data-driven insights to expand connectivity across Europe, Africa and Asia.

Madrid-Barajas Airport, Spain

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) recorded its busiest year ever in 2024, reaching 66 million passengers and adding 35 new routes, including Tokyo, Shenzhen, Izmir and Verona. As part of Aena’s broader network, MAD continues to drive strategic growth—particularly in long-haul and underserved markets. Tailored incentive schemes support hub development, new destinations and Asian expansion. Results include a 20% growth in China-related traffic compared to 2019, with a 50% increase in scheduled seats and two new Chinese destinations expected in summer 2025. Route development at MAD is supported by a dedicated Route Development Committee involving the airport, city council, regional government and tourism bodies.