These awards, in which three other airports of the VINCI Airports network are also highlighted, recognise the Airports of Portugal for their continued commitment to the passenger experience and safety in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The “Best Airport” award contemplated the dimension in the European region of the airports. The distinction for Lisbon occurs in the 25 to 40 million passengers category. Porto and Faro won in the 5 to 15 million passengers category and Ponta Delgada in the airports with less than 2 million passengers.

Given the demands of the current pandemic situation, ACI has introduced a new award, the “Hygiene Award”, with the aim of recognising the ability of airports to ensure hygienic and safe environments and the maintenance of the necessary measures to meet the needs and expectations of passengers. In this new category, the airports of Porto, Faro, Madeira and Ponta Delgada stood out among the best in Europe.

In this category, the merit attributed by ACI highlights the priority of ANA/VINCI Airports in updating health safety procedures and the permanent concern in improving the passenger experience. All ANA/VINCI Airports have implemented protective measures since the start of the pandemic crisis (December 2019), in close collaboration with the health authorities, adding measures and optimising processes where necessary. Highlights include the global “Protecting each other” campaign developed by VINCI Airports across its network.

A statement said: “ANA/VINCI Airports is committed to contributing to the national effort to mitigate contagions, ensuring, as safely as possible, the continuity of the public service it provides. “We highlight the agile and efficient response in the implementation of sanitary measures, as well as the focus on innovation in the processes of contact with passengers at all moments of interaction, something that allowed keeping Portuguese airports fully operational throughout last year”.
The ACI awards were attributed within the scope of the international ASQ programme, Airport Service Quality, which aims to measure passengers’ overall satisfaction with the services and products offered and to understand how their perspectives and expectations have changed. Implemented on a global scale, this initiative identifies best practices, promoting competitiveness in the industry.

According to Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Managing Director of ACI World: “The awards demonstrate the winning airports’ focus on delivering excellent experiences, highlighting them as exemplary.” He reinforces that even in the face of extraordinary circumstances, the passengers recognise the teams’ efforts and commitment to providing superior services.

Thierry Liggonière, CEO of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, highlights the importance of this recognition: “In a year of uncertainty, our teams have shown commitment and resilience. We have been able to reinvent ourselves, adapt and innovate, ensuring the protection of all, for all. These awards indicate to us that we are on the right path for the recovery of the aviation market, with the necessary confidence in the new passenger experience.”