After profiling the finalists for the Under 5 Million, 5-10 Million, 10-20 Million and Over 20 Million airport categories on Sept. 17, today we focus on the shortlists for the Destination and Airline awards.
The Destination Award recognizes tourism bodies that have delivered exceptional route development marketing activities, while the Airline Award focuses on the importance of partnership in achieving successful and profitable routes.
More News And Analysis From Routes World 2025
The shortlists are as follows:
DESTINATION
Andalusia Tourism Board, Spain
Andalusia Tourism Board’s Strategic Air Connectivity Plan 2023-25 has delivered more than 30 new routes across Málaga, Seville, Granada, Jerez, Almería and Córdoba, including Seville–Istanbul and Málaga–Tel Aviv. In 2024, passenger volumes rose to 36.2 million (+5.5%), with 13.6 million international visitors and strong seat growth from North America (+54%) and Europe (+15%). Airlines including Vueling, Ryanair and Scandinavian Airlines expanded capacity, supported by Andalusia’s incentive programs and co-funded campaigns. Looking ahead, negotiations are underway with Chinese carriers to launch direct services by 2026-27, adding an estimated 50,000 visitors annually.
Cape Town Air Access, South Africa
Cape Town Air Access (CTAA), now in its 10th year, has delivered sustained growth at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) through a collaborative model linking public and private partners. Since 2015, CTAA has secured 33 new international routes and 11 new African destinations, doubling international seat capacity and lifting international passenger volumes 80% to more than 3.1 million in 2024—18% above 2019 levels. Cargo has become a major strength, with volumes up 25% in 2024 and 56% year on year in the first half of 2025. Over the past year, CTAA supported seven new routes and 16 frequency increases, including long-haul expansions by United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways.
Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Cyprus
The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism has driven strong growth through airline partnerships and innovative marketing. International arrivals rose 22% in 2024 to 4.1 million, supported by an 11% increase in seat capacity across more than 40 airlines. New and expanded services from Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet and Cyprus Airways enhanced European connectivity, while co-funded campaigns in the UK, Germany, Poland and Israel generated strong demand. Visit Cyprus also invested heavily in digital channels, reaching millions of travelers through video, influencer collaborations and targeted social advertising. Seasonal traffic was balanced with off-peak promotions such as cultural festivals and gastronomy campaigns, supporting year-round demand.
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, U.S.
For more than 25 years, the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LA Tourism) has partnered with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to deliver sustained growth at LAX, leveraging an in-market presence in 15 countries across four continents. This footprint provides real-time insights, strong trade relationships and direct airline engagement, ensuring tailored support for new and existing routes. In 2025, LAX international passenger levels are just 5% below 2019, with recovery complete outside China and 10 new routes launching this year, including Rome, Lisbon, Athens, Melbourne, Monterrey and several Mexican cities. LA Tourism supports partners through joint promotions, familiarization trips and consumer activations that stimulate demand.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, U.S.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), in partnership with Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), has delivered record-breaking connectivity and visitor growth. In fiscal 2025, inbound seat capacity reached 35.5 million—22% above 2019—across a record 174 nonstop markets served by 34 airlines. The city welcomed 31 new routes and six market expansions in the past year, adding more than 1 million seats. International milestones included Aer Lingus service from Dublin, Korean Air’s daily Seoul flights and KLM’s first-ever daily service from Amsterdam. LVCVA’s “360 approach” integrates co-funded marketing, launch events, travel trade engagement and consumer campaigns.
AIRLINE
Air Canada
Air Canada carried more than 45 million passengers in 2024 and now connects 195+ airports in 55 countries with more than 1,050 daily flights. Recent additions include Toronto–Prague and Rio de Janeiro, Montreal–Naples and Edinburgh, and Vancouver–Manila and Beijing, alongside new U.S. links to Jacksonville, Nashville and Raleigh. A fleet renewal program of 195 aircraft, plus investment in sustainable aviation fuel and carbon offsets, underpins sustainable growth. Air Canada partners closely with airports and tourism boards worldwide, with campaigns such as “Taste of the Philippines” in Vancouver and joint launches in Ottawa, Prague and Brisbane driving route success.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has continued to expand its global network in 2025. Recent growth includes new nonstops from Salt Lake City to Seoul and Lima, opening fresh gateways to Asia and South America, alongside Delta’s largest-ever winter schedule to Latin America and the Caribbean. Across the Atlantic, Delta maintains the largest U.S. footprint, with joint venture partners Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic adding further depth. Domestically, Delta serves more than 200 destinations and continues to strengthen hubs in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles and Minneapolis with added frequencies and upgraded aircraft. Fleet modernization underpins growth, with Airbus A350s and A330neos expanding long-haul capability.
EasyJet
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, easyJet has carried more than 1.2 billion passengers since launch and today operates over 1,100 routes across 150 airports in 35 countries. In 2024 alone, the airline carried more than 90 million passengers and expanded its network with new destinations including Cape Verde, Tbilisi and Tromso, while consolidating growth in core markets such as Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. The airline applies a structured, data-driven approach to network planning, supported by close collaboration with airports and tourism boards, delivering impactful joint campaigns. EasyJet continues to modernize its fleet, with 168 A320neo-family aircraft on order and a target for 55% of the fleet to be neos by 2029, reducing fuel burn by up to 30%.
Qantas
Qantas has undergone a network transformation since reopening after Australia’s pandemic two-year border closure, adding 40 new domestic routes and 22 new international routes across 10 new destinations. This represents growth of 40% and 50% in its domestic and international networks, respectively. Highlights include new long-haul services such as Perth–Paris, Perth–Rome and Auckland–New York, alongside growth in Asia with new flights to New Delhi, Bengaluru and Sapporo. Backed by a steady flow of new aircraft deliveries—including the Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise—Qantas continues to leverage partnerships with airports and tourism boards to drive sustainable growth and global connectivity.
Vueling
Vueling carries more than 34 million passengers annually and serves over 100 destinations across 31 countries. At Barcelona-El Prat, where it holds a 40% capacity share, Vueling has developed one of Europe’s largest LCC hubs, offering connections across the International Airlines Group network and through partnerships with more than 15 global airlines including British Airways, Qatar Airways and American Airlines. The airline has added resilience by doubling average weekly frequencies per route since 2023, now operating 11.4 versus the LCC average of 5.7. Network expansion includes new winter services to Agadir and Ljubljana, as well as new routes to secondary and underserved airports.
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