Billund Airport was celebrating last night, after scooping the Routes Europe 2018 Marketing Award in Bilbao. The Danish gateway beat off competing airports from Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands and Northern Ireland to take the title in the under four million annual passenger category.

The awards are unique because they are voted for and judged by airlines, and they recognise excellence in air service development globally. Other airports nominated in Billund’s category were Belfast City Airport (which was highly commended), Cork Airport, Groningen Airport and Liege Airport. Last year’s winner in this category was Shannon Airport.

“We are delighted to have won this award, primarily because our partner airlines have recognised what we do in firstly attracting them to serve the airport, but then to make their services sustainable,” said Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen, CEO, Billund Airport. “I would also like to thank my airport marketing team, as their dedication, commitment and professionalism has delivered this well-deserved award. It has been a real team effort.” Winning the award was particularly poignant for Zacho Jørgensen, as he leaves the West Denmark airport after an eight-year tenure as CEO in May.

The Routes Europe 2018 Marketing Awards are the third regional heat of the Routes 2018 Marketing Awards. The overall winner ‒ which was Brussels Airport ‒ of each regional event is automatically shortlisted in their category for the most prestigious awards in the industry, the World Routes 2018 Marketing Awards, which will take place in September in Guangzhou, China.

Kjeld Zacho Jørgensen, CEO and Jesper Klausholm, Head of Airline Relations & Marketing from Billund Airport celebrate the Danish gateway’s win in Routes Europe 2018 Marketing Awards in Bilbao. The West Denmark airport beat competition from across Europe to scoop the prize in the under four million annual passenger category.