Winners of the 2009 World Routes Airport Marketing Awards for outstanding airports were announced on September 14 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Athens won the award for best airport in Europe. Dallas Fort Worth was crowned winner in the Americas. The Asia Pacific category was awarded to Christchurch, and Jomo Kenyatta Airport collected the award for Africa.

Winners of two special awards were also announced: The Orbis Social Responsibility Award was presented to Air France, and the Routes Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to this year's host, Capital Airports Holding Company.

RDG Commercial Vice President Mike Berman said: "We are all aware of the difficult economic times we face at present, and all of the winners demonstrate sustained commitment to high quality services and understanding of market need."

"As has always been the case, but perhaps more acutely at present, the airport-airline relationship is of critical importance to the industry."

The Routes Airport Marketing Awards are one of the most sought after accolades in the industry.

Jim Boult of Christchurch International Airport, one of the winners, said credit for the award was due to the airport's partner airlines.

"The airline relationships that our team has built are critical to our route development strategy. We work closely with airlines throughout our region and around the world to ensure that New Zealand is on the radar and in the running for airline development opportunities."

The full list of winners and runners up is:

Europe

Athens – winner
Brussels – highly commended
Amsterdam – highly commended
Munich – nominated
Vienna – nominated

Americas

DFW – winner
Akron-Canton – highly commended
Aruba – highly commended
Seattle – nominated
Halifax – nominated

Asia Pacific

Christchurch – winner
Abu Dhabi – highly commended
Kuala Lumpur – highly commended
Hong Kong – nominated
Papeete – nominated

Africa

Jomo- Kenyatta – winner
Entebbe – highly commended
Julius Nyere – highly commended
Cairo – nominated
Accra – nominated

Orbis Social Responsibility Award

Air France – winner
BAA – nominated
Cathay Pacific – nominated
Virgin Atlantic Airways – nominated
Kenya Airways – nominated

Routes Outstanding Achievement Award

Capital Airports Holding Company

(China.org.cn September 16, 2009)