Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Scotland’s busiest airport, achieved great success at the prestigious Routes Europe 2025 Awards by winning both the “Overall Winner” and “5-20 Million Passengers” categories.
At the ceremony held in Seville, Spain, a total of six major awards were presented across airport, destination, and airline categories. The event, which promotes excellence in airport and destination marketing, honours the most successful players in the industry each year.
Double Recognition for the Scottish Airport
Winning both the “Overall Award” and the “5-20 Million Passengers” category under Routes Europe 2025, Edinburgh Airport has once again demonstrated its strong position in the European aviation industry.
Jonny Macneal, Aviation Director at Edinburgh Airport, emphasised the significance of the award in his statement:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award. What makes it even more meaningful is that this recognition comes directly from the airline community. This achievement is a reflection not only of our EDI team’s efforts but also of the hard work of all our airline partners throughout the year. We’ve enhanced connectivity between Scotland and the rest of the world, offering our passengers more choice. We look forward to continuing and expanding this collaboration.”
A Record Year in 2024: 15.8 Million Passengers Served
In 2024, Edinburgh Airport reached a historic milestone by serving 15.8 million passengers. The addition of airlines such as JetBlue Airways, Emirates, Pegasus Airlines and Aurigny saw a total of 17 new routes launched throughout the year.
There was a particularly notable rise in long-haul traffic. Compared to 2019, the airport saw 50% growth and became the UK airport outside London with the most US destinations.
Plans for 2025 include the introduction of 15 more new routes, further enhancing the airport’s strategic importance in global connectivity.
Other Standout Winners in the Categories
London Southend Airport (SEN) – Under 5 Million Passengers Category
London Southend Airport stood out with a 250% increase in passenger numbers, earning it the top spot in this category. With the return of easyJet’s three-aircraft base, 10 new routes were launched in 2024. The start of charter flights to Lapland and Bulgaria, as well as the addition of Newquay as a domestic destination, helped re-establish Southend as a key regional airport.
Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) – Over 20 Million Passengers Category
Located in Spain’s capital, Madrid-Barajas Airport served 66 million passengers in 2024, setting a new record. The airport added 35 new routes to its network, including destinations such as Tokyo, Shenzhen, Izmir, and Verona.
Thanks to its strategic focus on the Asian market, traffic linked to China increased by 20% compared to 2019, while scheduled seat capacity rose by 50%. Two additional Chinese cities will be connected during the summer 2025 season.
Turismo de Portugal – Best Destination Award
Portugal’s national tourism agency, Turismo de Portugal, achieved significant success in 2024 with 31.6 million visitors and €27.7 billion in tourism revenue. Over 90% of international visitors travelled by air, and the summer of 2024 saw the launch of 54 new routes and 12 new airline partnerships.
Jet2.com – Airline of the Year
UK-based leisure airline Jet2.com operates over 575 routes to 75 destinations from 13 airport bases. Since 2023, the airline has launched over 160 new routes, adding popular cities such as Bergen, Marrakesh, Palermo, and Tallinn to its network. This extensive expansion earned Jet2.com the Airline of the Year title once again.
Full List of Winners:
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Overall Winner: Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
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Under 5 Million Passengers: London Southend Airport (SEN)
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5–20 Million Passengers: Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
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Over 20 Million Passengers: Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
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Best Destination: Turismo de Portugal
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Airline of the Year: Jet2.com
