Athens International Airport wins double distinction at ACI EUROPE Awards

The Airports Council of Europe (ACI EUROPE) has named Europe’s top airports for 2025, with this year’s Best Airport Awards taking place on Thursday, June 19 in Athens, as part of the Gala Dinner of the 35th Annual Conference and General Assembly of ACI EUROPE, hosted by Athens International Airport (AIA).

The event, which brought together leading aviation industry executives from across Europe, had this year’s theme “The challenges of growth” – highlighting the efforts of airports to keep up with the demands of growth in a rapidly changing environment.

“Eleftherios Venizelos” Airport is the Top Airport in Its Category

In the highly competitive category of airports with 25 to 40 million passengers per year, Athens Airport was once again recognized as the best airport in Europe, receiving first prize from the jury.

The judges praised its strategic ability to respond to challenges, its continuous development, and its outstanding contribution to aviation and tourism connectivity. As it is characteristically noted, AIA “has managed to overcome seasonality, enhance the destination’s connectivity and function as a model of synergies between tourism and aviation”.

This distinction comes to seal the airport’s efforts to remain at the forefront, in a period of intense growth, but also complex challenges, from sustainable traffic management to improving the passenger experience.

Commendation for Digital Transformation

In addition, AIA also received a Commendation in the “Digital Transformation Award” category, a special recognition awarded in collaboration with the SESAR Joint Undertaking, for the progress it is achieving in the digital transformation of its operations.

The committee recognized the airport’s contribution to the adoption of innovative technologies and processes aimed at improving safety, efficiency, capacity, and environmental footprint, especially in the critical area of ​​airside operations (aircraft movement and flight support).

Prestigious institution

The ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards are considered among the most important institutions in the European airport industry. They reward achievements in areas such as leadership, resilience, sustainability, innovation, and passenger experience, with categories that include both large hubs and smaller, regional airports.

AIA's distinction in two critical categories further strengthens its international reputation and underlines its role as a key aviation and tourism pillar for Greece and Southeastern Europe.