The trade body representing airports – the Airports Operators Association – awarded Gatwick ‘Best Airport’, in a ceremony that also saw the airport’s waste plant awarded ‘Best Solution’ and its airfield safety team win ‘Best Overall Campaign’.

Gatwick won ‘Best Airport’ in the over 10 million passengers category.

The airport’s new waste plant won ‘Best Solution’ as it is the first in the world that can treat Category 1 aircraft waste onsite rather than transport it offsite for specialist incineration or deep landfill storage.

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Gatwick’s airfield safety team also won ‘Best Overall Campaign’ for its safety week after the AOA said it “clearly met all criteria delivering a well-defined and well-executed campaign with clear outcomes”, including delivering 16 separate safety related activities, with over 400 workers from 25 separate organisations visiting the mobile airside safety bus alone.

Gatwick was also commended for its Airport Community App that has enabled effective communication among 10,000 airport staff at Gatwick. The AOA said: “Gatwick’s app informs a wide variety of stakeholders and at the same time stimulates competition in key areas of operation.”

The awards come just days after Gatwick was award Airport of the Year at the National Transport Awards.

Chris Woodroofe, Chief Operating Officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “These awards are testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff and I would like to thank them for their collective efforts over the last twelve months. I am immensely proud of the way that Gatwick has transformed itself into a world-leading airport and there is more to come.  We are only half way through our £2.7 billion investment programme and we will continue to introduce the latest innovations and facilities going forwards so our passengers have the very best airport experience.”

London City Airport won Best Innovator, for their plans for a pioneering new digital air traffic control system which will see London City Airport become the first UK airport to install a remote tower. This is a true innovation that could revolutionise the industry not just in the UK but globally

Rohde & Schwarz was commended for the R&S QPS200 scanner that has improved both security and the customer experience at airports across the UK by having no moving parts and is easier to use, improving throughput.

Best Environmental Award: NATS, for a multi-layered solution that improved fuel, water and power consumption that was self-driven against a self-imposed target.

London Gatwick Airport was commended for tackling the cabin waste problem while benefitting the environment by lowering the CO2 footprint – a transferable solution that sets a new standard.

UK Airports Safety Week – Best Single Activity: Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a clear winner for a well-executed activity focused on an area that is critical to airport workers, which could be used as an activity across UK airports

George Best Belfast City Airport was commended for investing time and focus in broad engagement.

UK Airports Safety Week – Best Community Engagement: George Best Belfast City Airport, for engaging a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring all parties are engaged. A well-evidenced submission that stood head and shoulder above the rest.

Southampton International Airport was commended for linking into an educational qualification (GCSE) that will ensure longevity beyond UK Airports Safety Week providing an ongoing link with the local community.

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UK Airports Safety Week – Best Overall Campaign: London Gatwick Airport, clearly met all criteria delivering a well-defined and well-executed campaign with clear outcomes.

George Best Belfast City Airport was commended in a very close categories, with Belfast punching above its weight in its engagement, promotion in the broadest sense of health and safety issues and activity programme.

Best General Aviation Airport: Denham Aerodrome

Best Airport (Under three million passengers): Cardiff Airport

Best Airport (3-10 million passengers): Belfast International Airport

Best Airport (Over 10 million passengers): London Gatwick Airport

Chief Executive of the AOA, Karen Dee said: “The AOA Annual Awards are a showcase for the best in the aviation and airport sectors. The winners this year show the vibrant and innovative work going on across the country, improving efficiency, reducing the impact of aviation on the environment and delivering an ever-improving passenger experience.

“The UK Airports Safety Week Awards show the success of the AOA UK Airports Safety Week this year, and the relentless focus the sector has on working with all business, operators and passengers across airports to provide a safe work and travel environment.

“Congratulations to them all!”