Hamburg Airport wins "Best Airport Award 2025"

27 June 2025

Hamburg scoops ACI Europe award in 10–25 million passenger category

Hamburg Airport has won the "Best Airport Award 2025" in the "10-25 million passenger" category for the fifth time, a press release said Friday (June 20, 2025). This prestigious award is presented annually by the Airports Council International Europe and honours operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, sustainability, innovation and economic development. ACI Europe praised Hamburg Airport for its digitalisation efforts, climate protection initiatives, and commitment to passenger comfort.

Climate-friendly, service-orientated and partnership

Christian Kunsch, Managing Director of Hamburg Airport, accepted the award during a ceremony in Athens, and remarked: “This award sends a powerful signal to everyone at Hamburg Airport. The recognition motivates us to courageously continue on our path: climate-friendly, service-oriented, and collaborative.” The airport's investments in service were pivotal to the award. More than 80 per cent of passengers pass through security in less than ten minutes thanks to new CT technology.

The HAM Upgrade scheme includes a package of measures to improve the airport experience. These include smart gates and the "Slot & Fly" reservation system for fast-tracking passengers to security checkpoints. Plans are being laid to invest around EUR 20 million in more service measures and EUR 250 million in the "Net Zero 2035" climate protection scheme, which was another key factor in winning the award. The scheme includes alternative drive systems for airport vehicles, using green electricity and the airport's own wind farm, which is due to be completed in 2028.

Investing in service as a success factor

2024 was Hamburg Airport's most successful year since the pandemic with 14.8 million passengers (an increase of 9.4 per cent) travelling to 120 direct destinations. The airport is now aiming to become the first in Germany to operate completely CO₂-free by 2035, without using offsets. "In addition to impressive growth in terms of routes and airlines, the airport is well on the way to becoming Germany's first major city airport to operate without any CO₂ emissions," said ACI Europe.
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Sources and further information

Airports Council International Europe (ACI)

The Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) in Brussels represents the interests of more than 600 airports in 55 European countries. These member airports handle around 95% of commercial air traffic in Europe and welcome over 2 billion passengers annually. ACI aims ito transform airports and aviation. In 2019, for instance, the members committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050 without CO2 compensation. ACI Europe is part of ACI World.