Newcastle International Airport (NCL) has been crowned the Overall Winner at the Routes World Awards 2024, while also retaining the Under 5 Million passenger award for the second consecutive year.
The airport was one of eight winners celebrated at the ceremony held during Routes World 2024 in Bahrain, which honoured the outstanding achievements of airports, airlines, destinations, and individuals in advancing global air connectivity.
Newcastle International Airport connects northeast England to more than 80 destinations with 16 airline partners and onward connections to over 325 locations. Its route development strategy focuses on sustainable growth, leading to four new airline partners and 41 new routes post-pandemic.
Leon McQuaid, Director of Aviation Development at Newcastle International Airport, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this prestigious Routes World award. A big thank you to all our airline partners for nominating us; this is incredible recognition for everyone working at Newcastle Airport. We truly appreciate the support of our airline partners, who continue to invest in the Newcastle market and provide vital connectivity for the northeast England region.”
The 5-10 Million passenger category was won by Edmonton International Airport (YEG), Canada, which has made significant strides in expanding its route network and boosting capacity. The airport’s C$15 million ($11 million) Regional Air Services Opportunities Fund, in partnership with 15 communities in and around Edmonton, supports route growth and community economic development.
Adrian Warchola, Director of Air Service Development at Edmonton International Airport, said: “Edmonton International Airport is honoured to accept this award as we continue to work with our airline partners on more flights to more places. Thank you to our airline, industry, and community partners for their support and commitment to Edmonton. YEG’s air service development efforts are built on a foundation of collaborative partnerships, and we share this award with our YEG airline and airport community.”
Prague Airport (PRG), Czech Republic, won the 10-20 Million passenger category. The airport ranks among Europe’s fastest-growing airports, with a 29% rise in passengers and forecasts of 16.2 million for 2024. New routes include Etihad Airways’ flights from Abu Dhabi and Hainan Airlines’ service from Beijing.
Jiri Vyskoc, Executive Director of Aviation Business Development at Prague Airport, said: “It is a great privilege to see our dedication and hard work recognised by our airline partners. This year, we have already welcomed 14 new airlines, introduced 58 new routes, and increased frequencies on 42 routes thanks to our ongoing cooperation with airlines. This award is both a recognition of our achievements and motivation to continue our successful partnerships.”
The winner of the Over 20 Million passenger award was Brussels Airport (BRU), Belgium. The airport expects a post-pandemic record of 24 million passengers in 2024, served by 65 airlines flying to 185 destinations. Its route development strategy has led to several new airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Wizz Air, and 20 new destinations such as Toronto, Bangkok, and Seville.
Léon Verhallen, Director Aviation Development at Brussels Airport, said: “We are delighted that our strategy of ‘have seats, will travel’ is highly appreciated by our airlines. New routes and traffic growth go hand in hand with strong marketing support. We attracted 10 new airlines and 20 new destinations in 2023 and 2024, and we support airline growth through innovative campaigns. We also launched new marketing campaigns for even more passenger segments. This award is clear evidence of the success of Brussels Airport in the most competitive catchment area in Europe.”
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus was named the winner of the Destination category. Cyprus prioritizes air connectivity, offering strategic incentives to airlines that have attracted new carriers and increased seat capacity from key markets – Nordic countries up by 58%, Poland by 20%, and the UAE by 29%. Collaborative marketing efforts with more than 60 tour operators in 2023 and 2024 have further enhanced tourism.
Sophia Charalambous, Market Development Officer at the Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive this award, which serves as a testament to our relentless and successful endeavours in boosting tourism to the island, despite facing challenging conditions and numerous obstacles.”
The Airline award was won by British Airways, which focuses on strategic network development and sustainability, successfully connecting Britain with the world. Collaborative efforts with airline partners, such as joint business relationships and data sharing, support new routes like London Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur.
Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, said: “This prestigious award is testament to the hard work of our colleagues across the business, who this year alone have expanded our network with nine additional routes, including Kuala Lumpur, Tromsø, and Abu Dhabi. British Airways operates an extensive international airline route network, complemented by our joint ventures, codeshare agreements, and franchise partners – so to be recognised for this is an incredible achievement.”
In the Rising Star category, which recognises the potential of individuals who are in the early stages of their career, Sun Country Airlines Senior Network & Scheduling Analyst Michael Garko was the winner. He has been instrumental in expanding the U.S. carrier’s reach and optimizing operations, helping to add 30 new destinations and nearly 50 new routes.
Garko said: “This recognition reflects not just personal achievement, but the collective dedication to innovation and excellence we have at Sun Country. I am deeply grateful for the support and opportunities that have allowed me to drive significant growth and make a meaningful impact in our industry.”
Lastly, the Individual Leadership Award, which celebrates the lifetime achievements of an individual within the route development community, was won by Jay L Lingeswara, Vice President of Commercial at VietJet Air. He has been instrumental in the Vietnamese carrier’s growth, guiding its commercial strategy and network expansion.
Lingeswara said: “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of VietJet Air’s incredible team. Together, we have emerged stronger than ever, and we remain committed to providing the safest, most affordable, and most reliable air travel experience.”
The Airport and Destination categories were reviewed and scored by a panel of airline judges. The Individual Leadership, Rising Star, and Airline categories were reviewed and scored by a panel of editorial judges.
Full list of the Routes World Awards 2024 winners:
Under 5 Million – Newcastle International Airport
5-10 Million – Edmonton International Airport
10-20 Million – Prague Airport
Over 20 Million – Brussels Airport
Destination – Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus
Airline – British Airways
Rising Star – Michael Garko, Senior Network & Scheduling Analyst, Sun Country Airlines
Individual Leadership – Jay L Lingeswara, Vice President, Commercial, VietJet Air
Overall Winner – Newcastle International Airport