SPAIN. Airport group Aena hosted the second edition of its Enjoy Aena Awards this week at the Teatro Real in Madrid, recognising outstanding retail, F&B and service partners across its global network.
The gala was hosted by Spanish television journalist Susanna Griso.
Aena, which manages 64 airports with 100 commercial partners, launched the awards to recognise the most outstanding brands operating across its network. The initiative underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the traveller experience and driving quality across commercial activities.
As reported, the expanded categories comprise seven travel retail awards that recognise excellence in restaurants, shops, car rental and advertising brands: an external award for best travel influencer, three awards for best airports in their categories across the Aena network and an honorary award.
“In 2025, the sector has shown admirable resilience and dynamism,” said Aena General Manager of Commercial and Real Estate María José Cuenda. “With a favourable macroeconomic environment and international tourism reaching historic levels, our major cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, have seen their commercial arteries and airports consolidate their position as European benchmarks.”
The awards were judged by an independent panel chaired by Mango Chairman of the Board and CEO Toni Ruiz. He was joined by industry leaders from fashion, aviation, media, finance and travel, including The Moodie Davitt Report Founder and Chairman Martin Moodie.
Other judges included Vanity Fair Spain Head of Editorial Content Alberto Moreno; Women in Travel Retail President and Founder Cristina Delgado; Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum Managing Director Evelio Acevedo; American Express Spain President Juan Orti; Iberia Commercial Director of Network Development and Alliances María Jesús López Solás; Faconauto President and Cepyme Vice President Marta Blázquez; Basque Culinary Center Head of New Agreements and Commercial Development Mikel Oñatibia; and Grupo NUBA President and CEO Pablo del Pozo.
Ruiz commented: “Aena, as the world’s leading airport operator, is the gateway for millions of travellers. Travel retail allows passengers to enrich their travel experience by turning waiting times into moments of enjoyment and offers brands a platform to connect with customers and strengthen their global presence.”
Winners of the 2025 Enjoy Aena Awards
Place to Be: Hungry Club by Avolta
Chef Dabiz Muñoz’s concept was named Brand of the Year, recognised for product and service excellence, customer appeal and adaptation to the airport environment.
Best Marketing Boost: Purple Carpet by Avolta
Avolta took home its second award of the night for the best airport-adapted marketing campaign.
Best ESG: WHSmith Spain
The British retailer was awarded for its strong application of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles across its airport operations.
Best Ad Campaign: Exterior Plus & Carolina Herrera
The partnership was recognised for developing the most creative advertising execution tailored to airport media.
Best Innovation: Self by Areas
The world’s first AI-driven, fully robotised restaurant in an airport was selected for its pioneering approach to enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency.
Best Traveller’s Shop: Enrique Tomás
The Iberian ham specialist won for its high-quality product offering and service tailored to travellers’ needs.
Best Mobility Experience: Europcar and Sixt (tie)
The car rental companies were jointly recognised as best-in-class providers in Aena’s airport network.
Best Airport
- Category 1 (over 12 million passengers): Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Spain
- Category 2 (2-12 million passengers): Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport, Brazil
- Category 3 (under 2 million passengers): Asturias Airport, Spain
Best Travel Influencer: Juntos Viajando
The influencer duo @juntos_viajando received the award for their content highlighting the airport as an integral part of the travel experience.
Honorary Award: Roberto Verino
Spanish designer Roberto Verino received the honorary award for his distinguished career and contribution to the Spanish industry. Aena recognised Verino as one of the most influential Spanish designers globally and a global ambassador for Spain.
Verino said: “Receiving this award from Aena moves me deeply. It speaks of a journey that goes far beyond fashion: that of a lifetime spent striving to create with honesty, paying attention to every detail and always committing to lasting beauty.
“Thank you to Aena for recognising this effort and for sharing the same vision of making every experience – at an airport, in a store, or in life – a place where people feel good. This recognition encourages me to continue creating with purpose and love for what we do”.
Click here for our story on last year’s awards. ✈
 The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to announce Airport Hospitality World, the latest edition to its wide-ranging, market-leading travel retail and airport non-aeronautical revenues publishing and event portfolio. Airport Hospitality World covers all forms of airport lounges across international and domestic terminals, including various definitions as follows:
Plus other hospitality-related platforms:
Excitingly, the long-established Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards will embrace Airport Hospitality World from the 2026 edition – the event’s 15th anniversary. The event will take on an extended form, featuring an exhibition and the ultimate one-stop airport hospitality and food & beverage conference and awards platform. |
