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

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