Munich Airport wins Routes Europe 2017 Marketing Awards

Munich Airport was announced as the overall winner of the Routes Europe 2017 Marketing Awards at a ceremony 24 April in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The annual Routes Europe Marketing Awards are highly regarded in the aviation industry because they are voted for by airlines. They recognise the outstanding marketing services that have supported the launch of new air routes or the development of existing services.

Munich Airport's network includes 173 European destinations - more than any other airport in the world. Last year the airport gained 70 new routes operated by 20 airlines, taking its passenger numbers to 42.3 million (an increase of 1.3 million or 3% compared to 2015).  

This remarkable growth was driven by low-cost traffic which increased by 44%. Further expansion is expected this year when around 7,000 flights are added to the summer 2017 schedule.

Oliver Dersch, vice president traffic development, Munich Airport said: "It's amazing to win this award - big thanks to the airline industry. The award belongs to the entire aviation market as well as the airport because our success is due to close cooperation with the airlines."

Munich's other accolades include being voted Best Airport in Europe in 2017 for the tenth time, and its Terminal 2 winning the World's Best Airport Terminal (Skytrax World Airport Awards).

In addition to the overall winner, the awards are judged in five categories. Munich Airport topped the 'Over 20 Million Passengers' category; Birmingham Airport won the '4 to 20 Million Passengers' category; Shannon Airport scooped the 'Under 4 Million Passengers' category; and Canary Islands Tourist Board - Promotur was honoured in the 'Destination' category.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Warsaw Chopin Airport, Nuremberg Airport and Madeira Promotion Bureau were highly commended in each category respectively.

Steven Small, brand director of Routes said: "Munich Airport has enjoyed a record year thanks to its partnership approach to working with the airlines, increasing passenger demand through the expansion of its route network."

As overall winner of tonight's awards, Munich Airport will be automatically shortlisted for the World Routes Marketing Awards in Barcelona on 25 September 2017.

The panel consisted of the following experts:

• Jochen Schnadt, chief commercial officer, bmi regional
• Rikke Munk Christensen, vice president traffic planning, Finnair
• Michael Ambs, head of regional marketing development, Norwegian
• Martin Saxton, chief commercial officer, Stobart Air
• Jeroen Erdman, head of network planning, Transavia

The full list of companies shortlisted under each award category were as follows:
Overall winner:
Winner: Munich Airport

Over 20 million passengers
Winner: Munich Airport
Highly commended: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Athens International Airport
Oslo Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport 

4 – 20 million passengers
Winner: Birmingham Airport
Highly commended: Warsaw Chopin Airport

Shortlisted:
Budapest Airport
Cologne Bonn Airport
Larnaca International Airport
Marseille Provence Airport

Under 4 million passengers
Winner: Shannon Airport
Highly commended: Albrecht Durer Airport Nurnberg

Shortlisted:
Cagliari Airport
Poznan-Lawica Airport
Vilnius Airport
Destination Award

Winner: Canary Islands Tourist Board – Promotur
Highly commended: Madeira Promotion Bureau
Shortlisted:
Munich Tourist Office
Polish Tourist Organisation
Turismo de Portugal