Malta International Airport yesterday clinched two prestigious accolades at the sixteenth edition of the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe Awards 2020.

During a virtual ceremony streamed from Brussels Airport, ACI Europe announced the winning airports in categories recognising excellence and noteworthy achievements in relation to operations, human resources, environmental innovation, accessibility, and digital transformation.

Malta International Airport beat stiff competition from shortlisted peers Porto Airport, Larnaka Airport, Aeroporti di Roma, Aeroporto di Bologna, and Aéroport Toulon Hyères in two different categories to scoop the Best Airport Award by size and the HR Excellence Award.

“We are honoured that ACI has recognised our efforts, both as an airport operator and an employer, to adapt to the unprecedented challenges brought by Covid-19 and safeguard two of our most important stakeholder groups: our guests and our employees,” said Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg, whilst thanking the team for their invaluable contribution to these achievements.

A panel of judges from several institutions and organisations, including the European Commission, SESAR JU and EUROCONTROL, commended Malta International Airport’s work in creating a safe airport environment whilst being mindful of new passenger needs and passenger feedback.

The judging panel identified the setting up of a special Airport Care Team, the segregation of the terminal into zones, and the use of technology in ensuring social distancing is respected as the initiatives which distinguished Malta International Airport from its peers, allowing it to secure the Best Airport Award.

A separate panel in the HR Excellence category praised Malta International Airport’s communication with its employees, the company’s initiatives to safeguard the team’s physical and mental wellbeing, and the launch of e-training and recognition platforms allowing the team to continue learning and feeling engaged throughout the crisis.

Malta International Airport’s Head of HR, Strategy and Marketing Tina Lombardi virtually accepted the HR Excellence Award, while Senior Technician Philip Borg, whose career with the company spans almost three decades, accepted the Best Airport Award on behalf of the team.

Published on: 18.11.2020