INDIA/INTERNATIONAL. Singapore Changi Airport has claimed the highest accolade at the 2026 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards, taking the coveted Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year title in recognition of an F&B proposition that sets a global benchmark for the travel hospitality sector.

A perennial contender for the industry’s premier award, Changi was recognised for its relentless commitment to innovation and evolution across its food & beverage offer, creating an ecosystem that serves departing and arriving passengers, visitors and local residents alike through an exceptional breadth and quality of concepts across its terminals.

In the words of the judges, “This presents one of the most complete, emotionally engaging and globally differentiated airport food & beverage ecosystems in the FAB Awards.

“Rather than functioning simply as an airport dining estate, this gateway positions food & beverage as a core part of the travel experience itself, integrating culinary discovery, local identity, entertainment, retail and hospitality into a highly immersive passenger environment.”

Changi Airport Group also secured the Asia Pacific regional title for Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year.

Other regional Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year winners were Austin Airport and Areas in North America, Dublin Airport/daa and Antalya Airport with BFA (BTA & Fraport) as joint winners in Europe, and Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free in the Middle East & Africa.

Presented by The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt, the awards reflected another landmark year for the global travel food, beverage and hospitality industry. We received more than 450 entries across the FAB Awards and FAB Superstars Awards (see our story here), representing the highest level of participation in the programme’s history.

The winners across the 25 awards categories were announced during a glittering gala dinner hosted by Bangalore International Airport Limited, with Avolta supporting the evening’s cocktail reception.

The event once again brought together airport operators, concessionaires, restaurateurs, brands and industry partners from around the world to celebrate excellence across every facet of travel hospitality.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of several Special Judges’ Awards recognising individuals whose influence extends well beyond operational excellence and into the wider evolution of the industry.

A new accolade, the FAB Storyteller and Designer of the Year Award, made its debut in this year’s edition, reflecting a belief that the creative minds responsible for shaping airport hospitality environments deserve recognition alongside the operators and airports they help define.

The inaugural recipient was acclaimed Aura Dezyne Founder and Principal Designer Payal Khanna. Praised as far more than a designer, but a storyteller whose work is rooted in history, heritage and cultural authenticity, Khanna has been instrumental in creating many of India’s most distinctive airport hospitality spaces.

Her work at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, including the acclaimed 080 Lounges and the latest Mitti Café, was singled out as exemplifying design that elevates the travel experience into something memorable, meaningful and deeply connected to place.

An emotional high point on the evening came with the presentation of the FAB Woman of the Year Award to Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation and Mitti Café Founder and Chief Executive Officer Alina Alam, in recognition of an extraordinary journey that has transformed both lives and perceptions. The award was collected on Alam’s behalf by members of the Mitti Café team.

At just 23 years of age, Alam embarked on a mission to demonstrate what she has long described as “the magic of abilities, not the limit of disabilities”, creating a café model that empowers people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities through meaningful employment, dignity and economic independence.

From a single roadside kiosk, Mitti Café has grown into the world’s largest café chain operated entirely by persons with disabilities, becoming a powerful symbol of inclusion and social enterprise.

Airports have played a central role in that remarkable story. The partnership forged with Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, supported by BIAL Chief Executive Officer Hari Marar and the airport’s commercial leadership, provided a platform that has since expanded to more than 70 locations across India, including multiple airports, the Supreme Court and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Innovation also took centre stage with the presentation of the FAB Award for Extraordinary Innovation and Quality Enhancement in Airport Food & Beverage to Qatar Airways Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh.

The judges recognised Musleh’s leadership in driving one of the industry’s most ambitious transformations of airport hospitality, with Hamad International Airport consistently raising expectations through a succession of pioneering concepts, premium partnerships and locally inspired experiences.

From collaborations with global luxury names including Fendi, Lancôme, Louis Vuitton, Oreo and Ralph Lauren to authentic home-grown food & beverage concepts spanning fine dining, casual restaurants, grab-and-go offers and lounges, the airport has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to challenge convention and redefine what passengers can expect from an airport dining experience.

The final special judges’ accolade, the Outstanding Contribution to the Airport Food & Beverage Industry Award, was presented to Bangalore International Airport Limited Chief Commercial Officer Kenneth R. Guldbjerg in recognition of almost a quarter of a century of leadership across airport commercial revenues and travel hospitality.

During a career that has spanned airports in Denmark, the UK and, over the past decade, Bengaluru, Guldbjerg has played a defining role in delivering the vision for Kempegowda International Airport’s acclaimed Terminal 2, helping create a gateway that seamlessly combines international brands with outstanding local concepts while placing sustainability, culture and passenger experience at the heart of its commercial proposition.

The judges also acknowledged Guldbjerg’s personal resilience in overcoming serious illness while continuing to inspire colleagues, partners and the wider industry through his leadership and unwavering commitment.

His contribution has helped establish Bengaluru as one of the world’s most admired examples of how airport food, beverage and retail can become a defining part of the passenger journey rather than simply an accompanying service.

The outstanding performers this year were selected by our distinguished panel of judges. These included renowned industry veteran and consultant Nick Inkster; Concession Planning International Managing Partner Susan Gray; Hunter Palmer – Global Retail Solutions Partner Nick Goddard-Palmer; Jonathan Doughty, Managing Director at Viklari Consulting Ltd and Director LSP on behalf of ECE Marketplaces; Constellar Advisory Principal Grant Fleming; and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Vice-President Concessions Zenola Campbell, plus The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

Here is the full roll of honour for 2026:

Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year

Winner: Changi Airport – Changi Airport Group, Singapore

North America: Austin Airport – Areas, USA

Asia Pacific: Changi Airport – Changi Airport Group, Singapore

Europe (Joint Winner): Dublin Airport – daa, Ireland

Europe (Joint Winner): Antalya Airport – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Hamad International Airport – Qatar Duty Free, Qatar

Airport Food & Beverage Opening of the Year

Winner: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Latin America: La Bonbonniere – Retail Services, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America: White Spot – ECG Ventures II & White Spot Hospitality, Vancouver International Airport, Canada

Asia Pacific: hello Mercato! – Travel Food Services, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Europe: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Lancôme Café de La Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Outstanding Contribution to the Airport Food & Beverage Industry 

Kenneth R Guldbjerg, Chief Commercial Officer, Bangalore International Airport Limited

The FAB Award for Extraordinary Innovation and Quality Enhancement in Airport Food & Beverage

Thabet Musleh, Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer, Qatar Airways

FAB Woman of the Year  

Alina Alam, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Mitti Social Initiatives Foundation

FAB Storyteller and Designer of the Year Award  

Payal Khanna, Founder and Principal Designer, Aura Dezyne

Airport Chef of the Year

Joint Winner: Chef Omur Akkor – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Joint Winner: Chef Vengopal Bharathan – Avolta, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

Latin America: Chef Jesus Elizondo – Areas, Monterrey International Airport, Mexico

North America: Chef Mary Nguyen – Olive & Finch, Denver International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Chef Vengopal Bharathan – Avolta, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

Europe: Chef Omur Akkor – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Chef Jaky Monsa Belel – Plaza Premium Group, Zayed International Airport, UAE

Airport Bar or Pub of the Year – Airport <20M passengers

Winner: Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar – SSP Canada, Kelowna International Airport, Canada

North America: Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar – SSP Canada, Kelowna International Airport, Canada

Asia Pacific: Good Day Bar and Café – Wellington International Airport, New Zealand

Europe (Joint Winner): The Sir Walter Scott – J D Wetherspoon, Edinburgh Airport, UK

Europe (Joint Winner): The Terrace – Cafe Bar – SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East, Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain

Airport Bar or Pub of the Year – Airport ≥20M passengers

Winner: Williams & Graham – Mission Yogurt, Denver International Airport, USA

Latin America: Copper Bar & Kitchen – Retail Service, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America: Williams & Graham – Mission Yogurt, Denver International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Intervals Sky Bar & Restaurant – Plaza Premium Group, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SAR, China

Europe (Joint Winner): Sherefe Restaurant & Lounge & Smoking Terrace – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Europe (Joint Winner): Ryan’s Pub – The Wright Group, Dublin Airport, Ireland

Airport Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year – Airport <20M passengers

Winner: Barú Bar & Grill – GCG, José María Córdova International Airport, Colombia

Latin America: Barú Bar & Grill – GCG, José María Córdova International Airport, Colombia

North America: Puerto Tortas. Tacos. Cantina. – Chef Chad White & SSP America, Spokane International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Gully Kitchen – Semolina Kitchens, Navi Mumbai International Airport, India

Europe: Tap + Brew – SSP UK & Ireland, Leeds Bradford Airport, UK

Airport Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year – Airport ≥20M passengers

Winner: Callao Cocina Peruana by Jaime Pesaque – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

Latin America: Callao Cocina Peruana by Jaime Pesaque – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America: Eataly – Avolta, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Jones the Grocer – Semolina Kitchens, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, India

Europe: Giraffe – TRGC, London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, UK

Middle East & Africa: Todd English Food Hall & Pub – Lagardère Travel Retail, Zayed International Airport, UAE

Airport Coffee Shop of the Year

Winner: Kaffet Helsinki – SSP Finland, Helsinki Airport, Finland

Airport Tea Shop of the Year

Winner: Project Chaiwala – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport, UAE

Airport Coffee/Tea Shop of the Year (Regional Winners)

Latin America: Puku Puku Café – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru (Coffee)

North America: Brooklyn Tea & Market – Avolta, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, USA (Coffee)

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): Revolver – SSP Asia Pacific, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia (Coffee)

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): KopiKakis by Kopifellas – Emirates Leisure Retail, Changi Airport, Singapore (Coffee)

Europe: Kaffet Helsinki – SSP Finland, Helsinki Airport, Finland (Coffee)

Middle East & Africa (Joint Winner): Project Chaiwala – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport, UAE (Tea)

Middle East & Africa (Joint Winner): black & white – Riyadh Ahmad Muhammad Muhriq Company, multiple airports, Saudi Arabia (Coffee)

Middle East & Africa (Joint Winner): Flat White – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar (Coffee)

Airport Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year

Winner: Elevating Every Voice Building a Culture of Belonging – SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East, Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): Fly.Learn.Grow – SSP Asia Pacific, Multiple airports

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): The Rameshwaram Café – Represented By RMV Sahan, Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, India

Europe: Belong At SSP – SSP UK & Ireland, Multiple airports

Middle East & Africa: Elevating Every Voice Building a Culture of Belonging – SSP Eastern Europe and Middle East, Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Airport Food & Beverage Best New Digital Innovation

Winner: Boost – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport, UAE

North America: Your Voice, Your O’Hare – Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Voiceback Analytics – Multiple airports, India

Europe: Allresto x nrtureAI by tRetail Labs – Allresto Flughafen München Hotel und Gaststätten, Munich Airport, Germany

Middle East & Africa: Boost – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport, UAE

Airport Food & Beverage Marketing Campaign of the Year

Winner: Lancôme Café de La Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Latin America: Wellness – Areas, Multiple airports, Mexico

North America: Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival – Vancouver Airport Authority, Vancouver International Airport, Canada

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): 5 Min or Free – GMR Hospitality, Multiple airports, India

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): Durga Puja Festival – Travel Food Services, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, India

Europe: Frozen Wonders – Allresto Flughafen München Hotel und Gaststätten, Munich Airport, Germany

Middle East & Africa: Lancôme Café de La Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Airport Food & Beverage Offer Best Representing Sense of Place

Joint Winner: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Joint Winner: Perusuyo Mercado Peruano – Seinauer & Cia (Concept), Inversiones Fisa (Operator), Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

Latin America: Perusuyo Mercado Peruano – Seinauer & Cia (Concept), Inversiones Fisa (Operator), Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America (Joint Winner): Magpie + Bar New Helvetia – Avolta, Sacramento International Airport, USA

North America (Joint Winner): Kardea Brown’s Southern Kitchen – Areas, Charleston International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Hung’s Delicacies – SSP Asia Pacific, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SAR, China

Europe: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Sawa – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, UAE

Airport Food Hall of the Year

Winner: SF EATS Food Hall – Paradies Lagardère, San Francisco International Airport, USA

North America: SF EATS Food Hall – Paradies Lagardère, San Francisco International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: hello Mercato! – Travel Food Services, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Europe: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Daily Dubai Terminal 3 Concourse B – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport, UAE

Airport Food to Go Offer of the Year

Category winner: La Lucha – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

Latin America Regional Winner: La Lucha – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America Regional Winner: Finch on the Fly  –  Chef Mary Nguyen (the Olive & Finch Collective), Denver International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific Regional Winner: Fresh by Relay – Lagardère AWPL, Multiple airports, Australia and New Zealand

Europe Regional Winner: Needstop – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa Regional Winner: Roots – Lagardère Travel Retail, Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, UAE

Airport Health and Wellness-Centred Offer of the Year

Winner: Eat Well. Travel Further. – Avolta, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA

Airport Instagrammable Location of the Year – Lounge

Winner: Capital One Landing at LGA – Capital One, New York LaGuardia Airport, USA

Airport Instagrammable Location of the Year – Restaurant

Winner: Lancôme Café de la Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Latin America: Vista Corona – Avolta, São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, Brazil

North America: Voodoo Doughnut – Denver International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): Good Day Bar and Café – Wellington International Airport, New Zealand

Asia Pacific (Joint Winner): Dilli Streat – Travel Food Services, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Europe: Comptoir – Areas, Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy

Middle East & Africa: Lancôme Café de la Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Airport Lounge Food & Beverage Offer of the Year

Winner: Capital One Landing at LGA – Capital One, New York LaGuardia Airport, USA

Latin America: Sky The Lounge – Before Boarding, Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas, República Dominicana

North America: Capital One Landing at LGA – Capital One, New York LaGuardia Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Encalm Xenia – Encalm Hospitality, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Europe (Joint Winner): Clubrooms – No1 Lounges, Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, UK

Europe (Joint Winner): aether – The Private Terminal – CAVU, Manchester Airport, UK

Middle East & Africa: CATRION Lounge – CATRION Catering Holding Co., King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia

Airport Lounge of the Year

Winner: FTA Exclusive Premium Lounge – Fraport TAV, Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Latin America: AMBAAR Club – AMBAAR in partnership with Airport Dimensions, São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, Brazil

North America: Capital One Lounge at JFK – Capital One, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Kyra Lounge – SSP Asia Pacific & Airport Dimensions, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SAR, China

Europe: FTA Exclusive Premium Lounge – Fraport TAV, Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: CATRION Lounge – CATRION Catering Holding Co., King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia

Airport Lounge Opening of the Year

Winner: The Maharaja Lounge – Air India (Tata Group), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3, India

Latin America: AMBAAR Club – AMBAAR in partnership with Airport Dimensions, São Paulo/Congonhas–Deputado Freitas Nobre Airport, Brazil

North America: Capital One Lounge at JFK – Capital One, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: The Maharaja Lounge – Air India (Tata Group), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3, India

Europe: Plaza Premium First – Plaza Premium Group, Leonardo da Vinci-Rome Fiumicino Airport, Italy

Middle East & Africa: Hafawa Lounge – Riyadh Air, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Airport Restaurant Design of the Year

Winner: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Latin America: Copper Bar & Kitchen – Retail Services, Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America: Novecientos Grados by Tony Hawk – Areas, San Diego International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: Icebergs Bar & Kitchen – SSP Asia Pacific, Sydney Airport, Australia

Europe: Taste of Anatolia – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Lancôme Café de la Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Airport Sustainability & Environmental Initiative of the Year

Winner: Sustainability Strategy and Commitment – SSP UK & Ireland, Multiple airports

North America: Green Restaurant Association x OTG – OTG Management, Multiple airports, USA

Asia Pacific: Redefining Sustainability in Airport F&B – Travel Food Services, Multiple airports

Europe: Sustainability Strategy and Commitment – SSP UK & Ireland, Multiple airports

Middle East & Africa: Sustainability Strategy – Lagardère Travel Retail UAE, Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport, UAE

The FAB Airport Food & Beverage Innovation Award 

Winner: Lancôme Café de la Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar

Latin America: La Lucha – Lagardère Travel Retail, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport, Peru

North America: Williams & Graham – Mission Yogurt, Denver International Airport, USA

Asia Pacific: hello Mercato! – Travel Food Services, Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India

Europe: Sherefe Restaurant & Lounge & Smoking Terrace – BFA (BTA & Fraport), Antalya Airport, Türkiye

Middle East & Africa: Lancôme Café de la Rose – Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport, Qatar