The 19th Brussels Airport ​
​Aviation Awards ceremony

It is now a well‑established tradition. Since 2007, Brussels Airport has annually recognised airlines and partners that have demonstrated exceptional performance. At this latest edition of the Brussels Airport Aviation Awards, eleven awards were once again presented to aviation stakeholders who distinguished themselves in terms of punctuality and performance, safety, environmental sustainability and network development. This year also marks the introduction of a new category: the "Airline Partnership Award", which recognises the local airline team that stood out in 2025 for the quality of its partnership with Brussels Airport and for its efforts to promote Belgium as a destination.

Punctuality & Safety Awards

The Punctuality & Safety Awards recognise passenger and cargo airlines that excel in terms of punctuality or demonstrate continuous improvement in safety standards and awareness.

Short Haul Airline Punctuality Award : Finnair

In 2025, Finnair was recognised as the most punctual airline for short‑haul flights. The airline operates up to three daily flights to Helsinki. This marks the third time the Finnish carrier has received this award, following previous wins in 2009 and 2023. Finnair ranked ahead of ITA Airways, Air Europa, SAS and Widerøe.

Long Haul Airline Punctuality Award : Thai Airways International

For the fourth time since the launch of the Aviation Awards, the Punctuality Award for long‑haul airlines is presented to Thai Airways International. The airline operates one daily flight to Bangkok and previously won this award in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Other airlines nominated in this category were Hainan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Juneyao Air.

Safety Award : DHL Aviation

After previous wins in 2010 and 2019, DHL Aviation once again takes home the Safety Award. DHL’s safety, operations and quality teams have consistently demonstrated strong engagement, a constructively critical mindset and a high level of commitment. Their collaboration across safety forums, initiatives, campaigns and events sets a strong example for the entire airport community.

Cargo & Logistics Awards

Brussels Airport presents four specific awards to stakeholders and partners in the cargo sector to recognise innovation, growth and partnership.

Freighter Performance Award : Air Belgium

Following a successful transition to fully cargo operations in 2025 and now as part of the CMA‑CGM Group, Air Belgium receives the award for the airline that has contributed most to cargo growth and to the Brussels Airport cargo ecosystem. Other nominated airlines were LATAM Cargo, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways Cargo and Ethiopian Airlines Cargo.

Brucargo Award : Belgian Customs Authorities

For the first time, Belgian Customs Authorities receive the Brucargo Award in recognition of its continued efforts in the fight against drug trafficking. The collaboration is characterised by a constructive and proactive approach to customs processing, enabling smooth and efficient clearance of goods. The recent cooperation around the mobile customs scanner further underlines this partnership. Other nominees in this category were Dnata, ACIC, Air Cargo Belgium and Abbott.

Logistic Service Provider Award : Yusen Logistics

For the first time since the launch of the Aviation Awards, Yusen Logistics is recognised as a trusted pillar of the Brucargo ecosystem, in line with Brussels’ positioning as a pharmaceutical hub. The company strengthens its role as a key life sciences logistics provider through ambitious growth and further accelerates its development through acquisitions (Walden Group). Other nominees were Nippon Express, DSV, DHL Global Forwarding and Expeditors.

Network Development Cargo Award : LATAM Cargo

For the second consecutive year, LATAM Cargo wins this award, which recognises the airline that stood out through the launch of new routes, an increase in flight frequencies and traffic growth. After relocating its European hub to Brussels, LATAM Cargo further strengthened its presence in 2025 by increasing its frequency from 12 to 15 weekly rotations. Through this expansion, LATAM continues to enhance connectivity between Brussels and Latin America. As a truly constructive partner, the airline has made a significant contribution to our network, reinforcing Brussels Airport’s confidence and creating valuable opportunities for sustainable growth. The other airlines nominated for this award were FarCargo, Sichuan Airlines, Air Belgium and Air Zeta.

Environment Award

The Environment Award is presented to airlines or partners that have made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability.

Environment Award : Autogrill

This year’s Environment Award goes to Autogrill. The award recognises Autogrill’s commitment to strengthening its sustainability efforts in several ways, in line with Brussels Airport’s sustainability ambitions. The results are impressive: in just two years, the company reduced its residual waste from 65% to 50%, a remarkable example of collaboration.

As a partner of Brussels Airport’s sustainability department, Autogrill works closely on identifying solutions to prevent waste and increase circularity. This engagement is reflected within the Waste Charter community.

In addition, several innovative projects were tested within the Stargate programme, including the selective collection of coffee grounds and the use of reusable cups, with Autogrill playing a driving role.

Airline Partnership Award

Airline Partnership Award : Brussels Airlines

This new award recognises the local airline team that distinguished itself over the past year through the quality of its partnership with Brussels Airport, via both B2B and B2C initiatives on the Belgian and cross‑border markets, as well as through the promotion of Belgium as a destination.

The Airline Partnership Award is presented to Brussels Airlines for its close and long‑standing collaboration with Brussels Airport, translated into joint market development initiatives and the promotion of Belgium. This cooperation helped strengthen the visibility of the country and supported the development of traffic to and from Brussels Airport.

Brussels Airlines wins this award ahead of ANA, Air Canada, Juneyao Air and United Airlines.

Network Development Awards

The Network Development Awards recognise airlines that have launched new routes or achieved significant passenger growth.

Short Haul Airline Award : Smartwings & FlyOne (ex aequo)

In this category, two airlines were exceptionally named joint winners. Newcomer Smartwings operates two daily flights to Prague, while FlyOne doubled its operations in 2025 with new destinations to Bucharest and Yerevan. Other nominees were Aegean Airlines, Nouvelair and Widerøe.

Long Haul Airline Award : Cathay Pacific

For the second time, Cathay Pacific wins this award, following a first distinction in 2018. The airline, which connects Brussels Airport with Hong Kong via four weekly flights, ranked ahead of Air Canada, Air Senegal, Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Air.

Summary

Brussels Airport congratulates all airlines and partners, whether winners or nominees, for their outstanding performances.