The Airport Honour Awards take place on the opening evening of the summit (11 November 2026) to celebrate the projects actually moving the needle in aviation. While our sessions during the day focus on future roadmaps, these awards honour the “here and now”—the teams who have successfully turned complex strategies into operational wins. Across ten categories, we recognise the grit and creativity required to solve the industry’s toughest challenges.
When: 11 November 2026
Where: Hilton Rome Airport
Enter by: 3rd July
This is your chance to showcase your team’s hard work in front of 200+ global industry leaders. In an industry that relies on shared progress, the awards are about more than a trophy; they are a platform to share proven solutions and inspire the next wave of airport transformation. Join us on Day One as we toast the innovators, the engineers, and the leaders redefining the global airport experience.
Whether you are a supplier nominating your airport client for its innovative use of technology or an airport who has displayed an environmentally responsible approach to development, if your project was completed in the last calendar year, we want to hear from you as to why you should be named among our first-class award winners. Plus, this year we’re taking nominations for each of the categories, so if you want to acknowledge a company or individual within the aviation industry you can now put them forward.
Take a look at the entry criteria ahead of submitting your Award entry.
The Sustainable Airport Award celebrates airports successfully implementing sustainability in their operations, facilities and services.
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This award recognises airports that have driven baggage transformation through leveraging technology, data and innovation.
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The Airport Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award celebrates airports that have successfully focused on attracting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce to leverage the very best skill set and knowledge from its surrounding communities and remaining resilient for the future.
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The Airport Security Award recognises airports that are managing security threats with effective detection, balanced with fast and efficient screening.
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The Accessible Airport Award honours airports that are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all passengers, regardless of their individual needs.
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The Airport Innovation Award recognises airports that have shown exceptional innovation and creativity in enhancing the passenger experience, improving operational efficiency, and promoting sustainability.
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The Airport Leader of the Future Award celebrates standout individuals who are making a positive impact at their airport and on the development of their careers.
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This award honours exceptional leaders who are steering their teams through the evolving landscape of air travel with vision, resilience, and innovation. It celebrates individuals who effectively navigate challenges, inspire excellence, and drive transformative progress within their organisations.
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This Passenger Experience Award recognises those airports that have gone above and beyond in providing a smooth, seamless and memorable experience for their travellers through implementation of new technologies, innovative experience initiatives and ensuring an efficient airport operation.
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The Start-up to Watch Award recognises an up-and-coming company set to address common airport challenges and painpoints in areas such as operations, passenger experience or sustainability through a new innovative solution.
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The most coveted prize of all, the Airport of the Year celebrates the “all-rounder” airport that has achieved excellence in all areas of operational efficiency, passenger experience, innovation and sustainability. The winner will be the airport who receives the best scores across all our award categories, opposite.
To be in the running for the Airport of the Year, airports must enter all of the practical categories mentioned opposite.
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