Once again, Europe’s airlines awarded Athens International Airport for supporting their route development consistently and dynamically, through the airport’s wide-scale innovative marketing programmes. The best airport marketing award was presented in the framework of the “ROUTES Europe” airline development forum, where AIA also won 1st place in the geographical region “Southern Europe – Mediterranean”.

During tough economic times, with air travel demand dropping internationally, this year’s double distinction has a special significance for AIA, as it reflects the airport’s successful ongoing partnership with airlines. In 2009, AIA’s airline marketing programmes brought 8 new airlines to Athens (Air Arabia, Baboo, Cimber Sterling, Lvov, Transavia, Atlant-Soyuz Airlines and soon, UAE’s national carrier, Etihad) and 6 new destinations (Nice, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Tripoli, Benghazi & Casablanca).

“We view airlines as partners rather than customers; our commitment to stand by our airline-partners is reflected in AIA’s “risk-sharing” philosophy”, said George Karamanos, Communications and Marketing Director of Athens International Airport, on the occasion of this year’s double ROUTES award acknowledging the airport’s partnership approach and pioneering airport marketing programmes.