The innovative entrepreneurial scheme and the airport's successful operation and achievements to date have given Athens International Airport the title of "European Airport of the Year 2004", within the framework of the annual Institute of Transport Management (ITM) Awards. After completing a twelve month long research programme, ITM announced Athens International Airport as "European Airport of the Year 2004", praising Athens Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" as "a benchmark to others aspiring to success in the airport sector". Based on criteria such as the overall contribution to the air transport industry, customer service, co-operation with airline partners, innovation, environmental awareness, and facilities, the Award's Committee concluded that "AIA has the knowledge, investment and infrastructure in place to take the air industry into the next decade and beyond". According to the Institute's relevant announcement, "The origin of Athens International Airport was an innovative one in that it broke new ground in the area of public private co-operation. AIA was the first major Greenfield airport constructed with the participation of the private sector". Special mention was also made to the fact that "Athens International Airport has achieved much in such a short time since its inauguration, due to the hard work of all members of the airport community and the close working relationship between the Greek State and the private sector". "The Award's Committee recognised the enormous steps that AIA has made in preparing for future developments, while securing itself a position as one of the best airports in the world". * The Institute of Transport Managerment is the foremost institute for transport management setting standards through benchmarking for others to follow, thus contributing in the development of best practice in the European Airport Sector. Full text of ITM announcement (18kb)