World Route Development Forum 2010 Airlines honour AIA with second place in Europe This year’s World ROUTES, the biggest gathering of airports and airlines (19-21 September 2010, Vancouver) were concluded with another top distinction for Athens International Airport, its seventh award in six years. Airlines from across the globe voted AIA as the 2nd best airport in airline marketing in the European category, for supporting consistently and dynamically their development efforts and programmes*. Among all European Airports, Brussels received the first award, while Athens and Munich airports were highly commended. Also, Hamburg, Prague and Zurich airports were short-listed to the final round of the evaluation process. Athens International Airport, honoured with a record of ROUTES airport marketing distinctions in 6 years, was again awarded by airlines this year, despite the adverse condition of the Greek economy, for consistently supporting airline development. In 2010, Athens International Airport continued to offer its integrated incentive scheme and co-financed marketing support programmes to airlines, while ‘freezing’ all its aeronautical charges and offering a new, additional package of development incentives, standing by its airline partners in their effort to mitigate their financial burdens. Since the start of the year, Athens International Airport has welcomed 5 new airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, Croatia Airlines, Estonian Air and Transaero). * By participating in the airlines’ initial business risk in developing a new route through its incentives and marketing programme, Athens International Airport consistently supports airlines for route development and increases the airport’s competitiveness. Additionally, Athens International Airport implements a co-promotion and advertising programme, following pioneer strategies for the development of new routes, contributing to the promotion of airlines in the Greek market.