September 3, 2025, 3:04 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
The organization “Airport Council International” (ACI) annually honors Europe’s best airports with its “Europe Best Airport Awards.” TRAVELBOOK presents the 2025 award winners.
Under this year’s theme “The Challenges of Growth,” the “Best Airport Award” was presented in Athens. The aim is to recognize both Europe’s busiest hubs and smaller regional airports. Therefore, airports were divided into five categories based on passenger volume, with a prize awarded in each. This resulted in a list of Europe’s best airports.
Evaluation Categories
Passenger volume in 2024 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and growth is also expected for 2025. This year’s award for the best European airport focuses on the new challenges airports face, particularly in operations, sustainability, security, passenger experience, safety, financial resilience, and employee well-being. According to ACI, airports in Europe had to adapt at an incredible pace, developing innovative strategies and resilience. All awarded airports have met the demands of continuous growth and are recognized accordingly.
The 5 Best Airports in Europe
These Airports in Europe Offer Passengers the Best Departure Service
The 5 Best Airports in Europe
The best airports in Europe were recognized in five categories–including a German airport that took first place.
- Category 1 (under 5 million passengers): Cork Airport, Ireland
- Category 2 (5 to 10 million passengers): Vasil Levski Sofia Airport, Bulgaria
- Category 3 (10 to 25 million passengers): Hamburg Airport, Germany
- Category 4 (25 to 40 million passengers): Athens Airport, Greece
- Category 5 (over 40 million passengers): Rome Fiumicino Airport, Italy
In addition to the awarded airports, Larnaca Airport in Cyprus, Milan-Linate and London Heathrow airports, as well as the airports in Tallinn and Athens, were also commended for their performance.
Munich Airport Also Receives an Award
Additional awards were given in other areas. Munich Airport was recognized in the “Digital Transformation” category. The jury was impressed by service robots and AI tools. With a strategic focus on digital transformation and collaboration within the ecosystem, Munich Airport has positioned itself as a pioneer in digital aviation, it was stated.