Group Photo of Routes Awards Winners – Routes Asia 2024
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has been crowned the Overall Winner at the Routes Asia 2024 Awards, as well as triumphing in the Destination category.
The tourism body was one of five winners at the event, which celebrated excellence in airport and destination marketing. The other victors at the ceremony, held at Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia, were Clark International Airport, Perth Airport, Melbourne Airport and Cebu Pacific.
“Japan’s aviation success unfolds through strategic codeshared flights, inventive incentives, and collaborative campaigns,” JNTO Director Akira Watabe said following the award win. “With soaring reservations and passenger recovery, our innovation shapes a resilient future.”
JNTO’s market development strategy encompasses initiatives to promote visitors to regional areas. Collaborating with airlines and travel agencies, including online platforms, it runs campaigns with a focus on key targets like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, identified for their high interest in regional exploration and repeat visits.
In the Under 5 Million Passengers category, Clark International Airport in the Philippines was named the winner. The airport experienced significant growth in 2023, handling nearly 2 million passengers, marking a 160% increase from the previous 12 months. During that time, it welcomed five new airlines, including four international carriers, and added 13 new destinations.
Noel F. Manankil, President and CEO of Clark International Airport, said: “We are honoured and humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious award. We express our deepest gratitude to the committee behind Routes Asia 2024 for recognising our efforts and contribution in the aviation and tourism industry. This is not just an achievement, but a testament to the collective efforts of an incredible team of individuals who have stayed true and committed to the company throughout this journey.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to show how much Clark International Airport has grown and progressed to, and for fostering an environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and dedication. Receiving this award is not just a recognition of past achievements but a reminder of our responsibility to continue to strive and deliver the best airport service and experience that our passengers deserve.”
In the 5-20 Million Passengers category, Perth Airport in Australia triumphed, retaining the title it was awarded in 2023. Perth’s recovery from the pandemic has been robust, with passenger numbers totalling a record 15.3 million during 2023, helped by new routes launched by Batik Air Malaysia, Philippine Airlines, VietJet and Vietnam Airlines.
Stephanie Juszkiewicz, SVP Aviation Business Development at Perth Airport, said: “Perth Airport is delighted to have again been recognised in 2024 by our airline partners. The successful return of seat capacity and the development of new routes has resulted in a record-breaking 15.3 million passengers in 2023. The team’s ongoing efforts to ensure safe and efficient operations whilst supporting our airline partners with route and market development opportunities are all helping to drive customer demand with pleasing results.”
Fellow Australian gateway Melbourne Airport won the Over 20 Million Passengers category. With a record-breaking 38 international airlines serving the airport, up from 36 in 2019, it welcomed six new airlines last year and worked with 31 others to resume services to more than 26 destinations. Notable new routes have included Qantas’ service to Dallas-Fort Worth – the fourth longest in the world – and Turkish Airlines’ choosing Melbourne as its first Australian destination.
Michael Cullen, Head of Airline Business Development at Melbourne Airport, said: “Melbourne Airport is proud of the strong partnerships we have built with our airlines and the shared success that delivers. We are thrilled to have this work recognised by this award and look forward to continuing our customer centric approach.”
Finally, Cebu Pacific won the Airline category. The Philippine LCC, which plans to double its fleet by 2035, ensures the success of new services through collaborative strategies. Continuous engagement with airports led to the restart of its Clark hub in April 2023, enabling the resumption and launch of 15 domestic and international destinations.
Finalists from the Airport and Destination categories were reviewed and scored by a panel of airline judges, while the Airline category was reviewed and scored by a panel of editorial judges.
The full list of winners:
Overall Winner
Japan National Tourism Organization
Under 5 Million Passengers
Clark International Airport
5-20 Million Passengers
Perth Airport
Over 20 Million Passengers
Melbourne Airport
Destination
Japan National Tourism Organization
Airline
Cebu Pacific
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