Auckland Airport

Winner: Auckland Airport International Terminal

Highly Commended: DXB (Dubai International) Concourse B

Regional winner (Europe): Copenhagen Airport

Regional winner (Asia Pacific): Auckland Airport International Terminal

Regional winner (Americas): Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport

Regional winner (Middle East, Africa & India): DXB (Dubai International) Concourse B

Auckland Airport’s F&B proposition captured the award for overall offer of the year with its mix of top-quality food, delivered in spectacular style, plus new concepts infused with a healthy dose of innovation. It met, often with a touch of greatness, key factors the judges were seeking including Sense of Place, investment, commitment, service, ambition and of course performance.

Hospitality, kindness, generosity and respect for others guides the service offer and customer experience at this location. But it’s the transformation that really counts: a transformation borne out of a philosophy.

One involving, according to Auckland Airport, “A refusal to accept standard (old, out-dated) mass airport F&B where the customer is believed to be a captive.”

The result is a wide-open dining space with panoramic views, emphasising Sense of Place and Taste of Place but ensuring a wide range of quality global cuisines is on offer.

The combination of experience, exuberance, and engagement is one thing. The food and drink atmosphere is another. Crucially, on top of this comes an exceptional early sales performance from a recently completed new environment and hugely positive customer feedback.

DXB Concourse B was Highly Commended for delivering a bold, new approach to the development of an airport food & beverage offer, with bold, at times brilliant new concepts, outstanding business performance and customer feedback and satisfaction scores that are off the scale.

Copenhagen Airport caught the judges’ attention for its dedication to local food heroes, with around 70% of F&B being local or regional offerings. Coupled with an excellent mix of international brands and healthy options, Copenhagen once again underlined its impressive F&B credentials.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport boasts some of the Twin Cities’ best eateries, alongside favourite national brands and select airport exclusives. The airport takes a holistic approach to pricing and food offerings to provide a wide choice to travellers. The end result is impressive indeed.