Athens, Greece – In a grand celebration of aviation excellence, the ACI Europe Best Airport Awards 2025 were unveiled at the 35th ACI Europe Annual Congress and General Assembly, held in Athens. Hosted by Athens International Airport, the event brought together aviation leaders from across Europe to recognize airports that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in sustainability, operational excellence, digital innovation, and resilience.
This year’s awards were themed “The Challenges of Growth,” reflecting the industry’s focus on balancing post-pandemic recovery with increasing passenger volumes and global climate commitments. From major international hubs to regional standouts, airports across all size categories were recognized for leading the future of European aviation.
Ukrainian Airports Honored for Unprecedented Resilience
In an emotional tribute, Ukrainian airports received a Special Award for Outstanding Resilience. With operations halted and airspace closed due to the ongoing conflict, these airports have preserved critical infrastructure and supported staff welfare under extraordinary circumstances. The award underscored their courage, perseverance, and operational readiness amid war.
Munich Airport Leads in Digital Transformation
Munich Airport was presented the Digital Transformation Award, jointly organized by SESAR Joint Undertaking and ACI Europe. Munich was applauded for integrating AI-driven turnaround management and robotic assistants, significantly enhancing passenger flows and terminal operations. Athens International Airport earned a special commendation for its contributions in this category.
Eco-Innovation Award Goes to Maastricht-Aachen Airport
The Eco-Innovation Award recognized Maastricht-Aachen Airport for its Electrifly Project—an initiative delivering fully electric, zero-emission international travel. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, the airport has pioneered a door-to-door sustainable journey model, showcasing how smaller airports can take bold steps in environmental innovation.
HR Excellence Recognized at Lyon Airport
Lyon Airport claimed the HR Excellence Award for its outstanding human resources programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Judges commended the airport’s data-driven DEI strategy, which has cultivated a culture of inclusivity and professional growth across its workforce.
Business Partner Award Honors Ella Soltani
The World Business Partner Award was awarded to Ella Soltani of TO70 Aviation for her contributions to ACI Europe’s Environmental Strategy Committee and the Stargate Project. Soltani’s leadership and technical acumen in aviation sustainability earned widespread recognition among peers and stakeholders.
Best Airport Awards by Passenger Traffic Category
Under 5 Million Passengers: Cork Airport
Cork Airport was celebrated for its 10% passenger growth, environmental achievements, and two-year record as Ireland’s best-performing semi-state body in carbon reduction. Tallinn Airport was also highly commended.
5–10 Million Passengers: Vasil Levski Sofia Airport
Vasil Levski Sofia Airport took top honors in this category for its visionary growth strategy, community engagement, and pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2036. Larnaka International Airport was commended for similar efforts.
10–25 Million Passengers: Hamburg Airport
Hamburg Airport was awarded for its dynamic route expansion and green transformation plans, including a goal to become Germany’s first CO₂-free urban airport via wind-powered operations and green district heating. Milano Linate Airport also received praise.
25–40 Million Passengers: Athens International Airport
Athens International Airport, host of this year’s congress, was honored for its proactive response to seasonal travel challenges and strategic tourism partnerships. The airport’s ongoing innovation and operational enhancements earned top marks in this competitive category.
Over 40 Million Passengers: Rome Fiumicino Airport
Rome Fiumicino Airport once again secured its leadership status by winning the top award for the Over 40 Million Passengers category. Its installation of Europe’s largest self-consumption solar farm, producing 30 GWh and cutting 11,000+ tons of CO₂ annually, solidified its role as a sustainability leader.
A Celebration of Vision and Progress
The 2025 Best Airport Awards underscore how Europe’s airports are evolving amid rapid industry changes. With passenger volumes surpassing pre-pandemic levels and demand projected to continue climbing through 2025, airports face mounting pressure to deliver on sustainability, efficiency, and service excellence.
“Today’s honorees are setting the bar for how aviation can grow responsibly,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe. “Their achievements remind us that airports are not just transportation hubs—they are economic engines, climate actors, and gateways to connection.”
ACI Europe and the Future of Air Travel
ACI Europe, the regional arm of Airports Council International, represents over 500 airports in 55 countries, handling over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. The Annual Congress and Awards are vital in fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and recognizing the people and projects shaping the next era of aviation.
With the 2025 awards now complete, ACI Europe has set its sights on fostering smarter, greener, and more resilient airports across the continent. Each winning airport showcased the kind of strategic foresight and community-centered innovation necessary to thrive in the complex landscape of modern air travel.
Conclusion
The ACI Europe Best Airport Awards 2025 not only recognized operational excellence but also highlighted the vital role airports play in sustainability, technology adoption, human resources, and resilience. As Europe’s aviation sector continues to evolve, these award-winning airports are leading the way in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future for global travel.
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