The 2026 edition of Routes Europe, held in the Italian city of Rimini, concluded with Prague Airport taking the top prize. The annual forum, which brings together airports, tourism authorities, and airlines from across the continent, recognizes excellence in route development, marketing, and partnership building.
Six awards were presented in total. Three went to airports for outstanding route development marketing, while additional accolades honored the destination that best supported airline partners and the airline that achieved the most success in developing profitable routes.
Airport Awards by Passenger Volume
The airport awards were divided into three categories based on annual passenger numbers: under five million, five to 20 million, and over 20 million. Florence Airport won in the under five million category, while Athens International Airport took the prize for hubs handling more than 20 million passengers annually.
Prague Airport was named best in the five to 20 million passenger segment and then, for the first time, was selected as the overall winner by a panel of judges. In 2025, Czechia’s busiest aviation hub handled 17.8 million passengers — an 8.5% increase compared to 2024 and a return to pre-pandemic levels.
“Amidst substantial competition from European airports, both awards represent a significant achievement which we value immensely,” said Jiří Vyskoč, Executive Director of Aviation Business Development at Prague Airport. He added that the airport’s long-term strategy, based on open cooperation with partners, includes “not only opening up new destinations, but also increasing seat capacity and flight frequencies on existing routes, thereby strengthening our airport’s accessibility and competitiveness in the long term.”
The accolades follow Prague Airport’s win in the 10–20 million passengers category at Routes World in 2025.
Route Expansion and New Long-Haul Flights
In 2025, Prague Airport supported 46 new routes and 24 new destinations, and welcomed 12 new carriers, bringing the total number of airlines operating there to 89. New connections include Seoul with Asiana Airlines, Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways, Toronto via Air Canada, and Sharjah with Air Arabia.
This year, the airport is set to launch additional long-haul routes, including Philadelphia with American Airlines and Taipei with STARLUX Airlines — the Taiwanese carrier’s first link to Europe. The expansion reflects a broader trend of European airports strengthening ties with Asia and North America, a development that also resonates with other hubs like Helsinki Airport, which recently resumed flights after a drone alert.
Jet2 Wins Best Airline for Third Consecutive Year
The award for best airline at Routes Europe 2026 went to Jet2, marking the third consecutive win for the British low-cost carrier. Jet2 operates more than 650 routes from 14 bases across the UK, serving over 80 destinations. Its newest base, London Gatwick, launched with a flight to Tenerife in March 2026.
During its first summer from Gatwick, Jet2 offers 29 destinations across Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. The UK’s third largest airline has also added 37 new routes for this summer, including three new destinations: La Palma in Spain, Palermo in Italy, and Samos in Greece.
The award underscores the growing importance of low-cost carriers in European aviation, a sector that has seen increased competition and regulatory scrutiny, as seen in the ongoing feud between Ryanair and Fraport Greece over airport charges.
Handover to Antalya for 2027
On the final day of Routes Europe 2026, the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Rimini, and Rimini and San Marino International Airport formally handed over hosting responsibilities for the 2027 edition to Fraport TAV Antalya Airport in Türkiye. The move highlights the event’s rotating nature and the growing role of Turkish airports in European aviation networks.
Prague Airport’s success at this year’s awards reflects a broader recovery and expansion in European air travel, with hubs across the continent investing in new routes and partnerships to meet rising demand. As Europe’s aviation sector continues to evolve, awards like these serve as benchmarks for best practices in route development and marketing.
