Routes: Abu Dhabi wins world's best airport marketing award

Abu Dhabi Airport Company has been presented with the top airport marketing award in the world.
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At a glittering ceremony in Berlin last night, ADAC was first named as the top airport marketing team on the Asian continent and minutes later was announced the best in the world.

Airlines and airports from all over the world were at the gala dinner which was held in what will be Berlin’s new international airport Brandenberg when it opens next June.

The event was part of the World Routes Development Forum which will be hosted by Abu Dhabi next year. 

The airport – and national carrier Etihad – had  made a big impact on this year’s event and a Formula One car – aligning the emirate with the Grand Prix next month – was a huge draw for network planners and delegates. And it was this kind of marketing initiative that led to the award.

Judges were impressed.

“In Abu Dhabi’s submission, I particularly appreciated their multi-faceted approach to communicating with airlines and the travel community. It is both formal (through the planning-focused elements of their web site) and informal (for example, their blog). I was also impressed with the way they described their direct outreach to airlines through media, visits, etc. I can also say that the submission itself was creative and closely reflected how they conduct air service development.” Said   Lee Lipton, Director of Network Planning , Aer Lingus 

Germal Singh Khera, Senior Vice President International Affairs, Malaysia Airlines described the Abu Dhabi paper as “a comprehensive submission, covering all the primary points necessary in an excellent fashion, presenting itself in a very slick, professional manner, and all the while retaining the essence of its market in its application.”

The winner’s “intense, aggressive and focused marketing has been their hallmark in attracting foreign airlines to consider operating into their airport”.

“AUH had a comprehensive submission, covering all the primary points necessary in an excellent fashion, presenting itself in a very slick, professional manner, and all the while retaining the essence of its Middle Eastern roots in its application.”

Buddy Anslinger (Ex Continental Airlines Network Planner) said:” “I’m always amazed when I read the Airport submissions. These people are informed, creative, and determined. Glad I’m on the other side of the desk and not competing directly with them.

Also in the shortlist for Asia was Bahrain Airport. Cairo Airport and Sharm el Sheikh were finalists in the Africa region.

Tourism authorities were also recognised with Jordan named as a runner up.

Full results were:

 

Best Network Performance by an Airline Award

            Air Asia X – Winner

            Brussels Airlines

            KLM/Air France

            Delta Airlines

 

Shortlisted Tourism Authorities

            Malta – Winner

            Jordan

            Greece

            Las Vegas

 

Airport Marketing Awards

Africa

            Accra International Airport, Ghana – Winner

            Bamako Senou International Airport – Highly Commended

            Cairo International Airport

            Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport

Americas

            Los Angeles – Winner

            Dallas Fort Worth  - Highly Commended

            Boston Logan – Highly Commended

            Oakland

            Las Vegas 

            New York JFK

 

 

Asia

            Abu Dhabi Airports Company – Winner

            Singapore Changi– Highly Commended

            Auckland– Highly Commended

            Bahrain

            Christchurch

            Sheremetyevo International Airport

 

Europe

            Budapest  - Winner

            Amsterdam – Highly Commended

            Athens – Highly Commended

            London Stansted

            Hamburg

            Munich

 

Overall Winner

            Abu Dhabi Airports Company – Winner