During a networking evening hosted by Denver International Airport and Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 2, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was announced as the winner of the first heat of the 2015 Routes Marketing Awards. Over 650 aviation professionals gathered to witness the presentation of the awards and to take part in the 8th Routes Americas – the only route development event for the entire Americas.
“We are absolutely delighted about the win, but a little shocked to pick this up given we were up against other airports with such high business credentials. It means a lot to us to be recognized by our airline partners for what we have achieved, and I would like to thank them all for showing support in our journey to turn Austin-Bergstrom International Airport into one of the nation’s most successful airports,” stated Jamy Kazanoff, assistant director, Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
The annual Routes Marketing Awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community. They provide the airline community with the chance to have their say as to which airport or tourism authority they think provides the best overall marketing services to them whether this relates to their particular relationship, effective results, provision of data and information or innovative techniques to establish new or maintain and develop existing routes.
As overall winner of this regional heat of the Routes Marketing Awards, Austin-Bergstrom will be automatically shortlisted for the World Routes Marketing Awards which will take place at the event in Durban, Sept. 19-22.
Austin-Bergstrom was also named as the winner from the 4-20 million passengers category with Orlando International Airport honored from the over 20 million passengers category. From the under 4 million passengers category Regina Airport Authority were ranked top and the Destination Award went to Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority for the second consecutive year.
“We are delighted to announce Austin-Bergstrom International Airport as the winner of this regional heat of our marketing awards and would like to congratulate them and all of our winners,” commented Katie Bland, Director Routes, UBM EMEA. “In the past 12 months, Austin-Bergstrom has achieved record growth and has surpassed the 10.7 million figure for 2014 with capacity up by 7.0 percent. With four new carriers and eight new destinations, the airport now offers 44 destinations served by 13 carriers.”
The shortlisted finalists were nominated by airlines and a respected panel of judges made up of senior members of the airline network planning community from the region then reviewed the lists and submissions from the nominated airports to determine the winners. The panel consisted of the following experts:
John Kirby, vice president of capacity, Alaska Airlines
Adriana Hurtado, director of network planning, Avianca
Dave Clark, vice president network planning, Jetblue Airways
John Weatherill, director network and schedule planning, WestJet Airlines
Lukas Johnson, vice president network and pricing, Allegiant Air
Angel Garcia, network planning director, VivaAeroBus
The full list of companies shortlisted under each award category were as follows:
Over 20 Million Passengers
Orlando International Airport – Winner
George Bush Intercontinental Airport – Highly Commended
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
McCarran International Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport
4-20 Million Passengers
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport – Winner
Tampa International Airport – Highly Commended
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Punta Cana International Airport
Under 4 Million Passengers
Regina Airport Authority – Winner
Aruba Airport Authority N.V. – Highly Commended
Sangster International Airport
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
University Park Airport
Destination Award
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority – Winner
Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board
Visit Jacksonville
Overall Winner
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
