The Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the industry. The programme provides a platform to recognize the people and companies that are driving change.

Our programme is designed to highlight excellence within the sector by looking at a range of corporate activities including deals, business projects and company initiatives, both internal and in the community.

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What is Business Expansion?

Business Expansion is one of our largest categories and looks at the core functions of business operations within the sector.

This consists of any projects that have expanded the company’s footprint in the sector, including: contract wins; launching in new territories; launching new product lines; the acquisition and expansion of facilities and real estate; acquisition of new machinery or other assets; improved logistics; partnerships; and significant staff increases.

Themes

One of the key trends identified during the research period was the increased amount of new airport screening and touchless baggage handling technology introduced. Though clearly the result of the Covid 19 pandemic, such innovations have quickly shown their use in the industry and have now become an expectation for passengers.

Another key theme is the industry’s ever increasing focus on digital infrastructure including airport cybersecurity, cloud and AI services. On the one hand this is part of a general focus on key IOT technologies, that aims to bring airport operations to a new level of efficiency and environmental compliance. At the same time, this very race to reach new operational heights exposes companies to new vulnerabilities and risks, problems that tech giants like Amazon and Google have been quick to offer solutions to.

On the environmental front, case studies related to the production and supply of SAF fuel as well as eVTOL aircraft abound. As is the case with the IOT this shows that companies are no longer satisfied with the occasional environmental initiative (although these are still common), but are now pushing ahead with the development of green operational cycles, with some airports even engaging their customer base through schemes such as enabling travellers to buy SAF fuel.

The companies featured in the Business Expansion Rankings have been chosen through careful research into thousands of different companies and deals. What unites them are the exceptional business skills required for these projects to be enacted, and the foresight that these companies have shown in committing to them.

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If you want to learn more about the Awards and the range of marketing materials and options available to promote your achievement then please get in touch with us or download the Media Pack:

Contact: Tina Ross – tina.ross@globaldata.com

Or book a meeting direct – https://calendly.com/tina-ross

Categories

Airport Construction recognises airport authorities and companies who have undertaken or completed airport construction or extension projects during the research period.

This category consists of construction companies that have distinguished themselves by winning contracts either for the development of new airport facilities or for the redevelopment of existing ones.

This category includes companies that have distinguished themselves in projects related to the architectural design and engineering of airports. This includes the design of both completely new facilities, as well the redevelopment of existing ones.

This category consists of airport authorities and companies that have been involved in the construction or renovation of airport cargo facilities. Cargo facilities are a vital part of airport infrastructure since they provide the necessary foundation for increased trade flow and through that an increased economic prosperity for all the economic actors involved in their construction and operation.

This category includes airport authorities and companies that have invested in the installation of additional gate facilities. Gate capacity improves passenger flow, including the installation of complex screening systems that improve the overall safety and operational efficiency of an airport.

This category highlights airport authorities and companies that have invested and developed their operational and logistical capacity. A smooth and well-oiled logistical machine allows an airport to increase its operational efficiency with relatively little investment.

This category includes airport authorities and companies that have focused on the development or redevelopment of passenger handling facilities, including projects related to both capacity and the passenger experience.

This category includes airport authorities and companies that have invested in the expansion or renovation of their terminal facilities. In contrast to a gate expansion a terminal expansion requires a larger commitment from an airport authority who must carefully choose which is the suitable form of expansion for them.

The AI category recognises companies that have distinguished themselves in the application of artificial intelligence technologies to airport operations. AI is a crucial part of the IOT paradigm shift that our societies are undergoing and recognition in this category shows a commitment to forward-thinking and innovation-driven growth.

This category comprises companies that have made a significant contribution to the IT side of airport operations.

Management solutions includes companies offering various kinds of digital management solutions to airport authorities. Digital management systems enable advanced coordination between all other airport systems and ultimately enable an airport authority to make the most out of its other digital solutions.

The technology companies in our Navigation & Weather category have distinguished themselves through the provision of digital navigation and weather prediction services that are crucial to improving the operational efficiency of an airport and ensuring the safety of the passengers.

The Operations and Logistics category comprises IT providers that provide exceptional digital services in support of airport operations. This includes services related to baggage and landing systems among other solutions.

The Security and Screening category includes companies singled out for their performance in signing and carrying out security and screening contracts, including projects related to ABC gates and biometric technology solutions.

The Aircraft Maintenance category is made up of companies that have won contracts and undertaken work related to the upkeep of commercial aircraft fleets.

This category includes companies that have won contracts related to airport cargo handling and management activities.

This category includes companies that have signed concession agreements or extensions related to the management of an airport and its core services.

The Ground Services category recognises companies that have signed significant contracts from anything from cabin and ramp services through to catering and passenger handling.

The Portfolio Expansion category includes companies and airport authorities that have expanded their business through the acquisition of new assets and portfolios.

The Route Expansion category consists of airlines that have expanded the number of routes they fly by bidding and winning new contracts.