The winners of the Aci Europe Best Airport Award 2026
ACI EUROPE has announced the winners of the Best Airport Awards 2026, the annual awards dedicated to European airports that have achieved the best performance in terms of operational efficiency, quality of services, innovation, sustainability and ESG impact.
The awards were presented in Prague, during the gala dinner of the 36th ACI EUROPE Annual Congress and General Assembly, hosted by Prague Airport (PRG). The initiative enhances airports that have been able to improve the passenger travel experience and introduce good practices in strategic areas for the future of air transport.
In addition to the awards per traffic category, ACI EUROPE also awarded specific awards for digital transformation, eco-innovation, human resources and the contribution of partners to the airport sector.
The Digital Transformation Award, promoted by SESAR Joint Undertaking in collaboration with ACI EUROPE, was awarded to Helsinki Airport. The award recognises airports that have adopted digital technologies and procedures capable of improving safety, capacity, efficiency and sustainability of operations. Helsinki Airport was awarded for an advanced digital platform, integrated into operational activities and capable of increasing the efficiency and resilience of the airport. The system was extended to 20 airports, improving network-wide coordination and confirming a structured approach to digital transformation.
The Eco-Innovation Award, in collaboration with Airport Carbon Accreditation, went to Stuttgart Airport, recognized for its achievements in environmental management and innovative approach to sustainable airport operations. The German port stood out for its progress towards carbon-neutral apron operations and for a project that has made it possible to reduce CO2 emissions from the apron fleet by 97.6%.
The HR Excellence Award was presented to Vasil Levski Sofia Airport. The recognition enhances human resource management strategies and the development of skills necessary for the future of the airport sector. In 2026, the evaluation focused in particular on the use of artificial intelligence in HR processes. Sofia Airport was awarded for an analytical model capable of identifying organizational criticalities, improving the employee experience and applying AI to different HR functions.
The World Business Partner Recognition was awarded to Dr. Holger Schulz of airsight GmbH, for his contribution to the aviation industry in more than 25 years of activity. A member of ACI EUROPE since 2007, Schulz has been recognized for his work with ACI EUROPE, ACI World and ICAO, as well as for his contribution to ACI EUROPE's Technical, Operational and Safety Committee.
Wrocław Airport won in the category of airports under 5 million passengers. The Polish airport was awarded for managing record passenger traffic along with major infrastructure works and support for a major international event.
The jury highlighted the airport's operational innovation, with advanced baggage handling systems, digital control tools, robotic loading and autonomous vehicles. Particular attention was also paid to the airport's environmental program, which includes an apiary project with bees and honey production.
Honorable Mention: Rovaniemi Airport (RVN).
Riga International Airport won the award in the 5-10 million passenger category. The Latvian airport has been recognized for its technological investments aimed at improving operational and economic performance, with a focus on management systems and strategic planning.
According to the jury, Riga Airport has demonstrated a dynamic development capacity and results that compete with larger airports.
Venice Marco Polo Airport won in the 10-25 million passenger category. The Venetian airport has been awarded for transforming the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games into an opportunity for lasting improvement for operations, quality of service and ESG impact.
For ACI EUROPE, the airport not only offered an effective service during the event, but integrated new practices into daily and future activities, creating a long-term legacy in terms of performance and inclusiveness.
Vienna International Airport was awarded in the 25-40 million passenger category. The Austrian airport has been recognized for its ability to transform infrastructural constraints into levers of innovation, maintaining a high focus on passenger satisfaction and punctuality.
Among the elements highlighted by the jury are a data-driven operating model, the assignment of gates through artificial intelligence and real-time dashboards, tools that contribute to high levels of efficiency and operational quality.
Rome Fiumicino Airport won over 40 million passengers in the category, confirming its position among the main European mega-hubs. Leonardo da Vinci thus continues a series of successes that place it at the top of the continental airport sector.
The Roman airport was awarded for its ability to innovate continuously, with an evolution towards predictive operations supported by artificial intelligence, without losing sight of the centrality of the passenger experience. The jury described Fiumicino as an excellent airport, capable of continuing to evolve and keeping Travellers at the centre of its strategy.
The jury of the ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards
The winners were selected by a panel of experts from the transport and aviation industry. The jury included representatives of the European Commission, ACI World, SESAR Joint Undertaking, ECAC, EUROCONTROL, EASA, Aviation Week Network, OECD, as well as the ACI EUROPE Board, the Advisory Board of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program and representatives of ACI HR forums and committees.
