Cairns Airport has taken out the Major Airport of the Year category in the 2013 AAA National Airport Industry Awards.  

CEO, Kevin Brown, congratulated the Cairns Airport team and the airport’s many stakeholders who contributed to the win.  

“Our submission focussed on the company’s significant commitment to infrastructure investment made during the qualifying period with the goal to transform the end-to-end journey for departing international passengers through Cairns Airport’s T1 (International),” Mr Brown said.  

“We are proud of the results we’ve achieved through this investment in our international terminal and are honoured to have our efforts acknowledged through this AAA award.”  

“The multi-faceted project covered in our submission included a $15M systems upgrade, improvements to passenger flow through the realignment of outbound border protection and security screening processing areas and an enhanced passenger experience with improved food and beverage and retail offers including the JR-Duty Free walk through store and Tribs landside and Departure Lounge cafes, new walkways and fixtures and fittings, including seating and environmentally friendly LED lighting.”   

Cairns Airport’s submission also focussed on the important role played by key stakeholders including Customs and Border Protection, security contractors ISS, airlines and all T1 retail tenants.  

“Regular liaison was undertaken from the planning stages and right through implementation via project updates from Cairns Airport and contractors with the opportunity for stakeholders to have input and provide feedback,” Mr Brown said.  

The local people were kept informed of changes taking place at the airport via media coverage, website postings, onsite signage and personal assistance provided by the Airport’s Tropical Ambassador volunteers and the Chinese and Japanese Liaison Officers.  

“The volunteers and liaison officers are a unique feature to Cairns Airport and we think their presence in particular may have caught the award judges attention. Our liaison officers provide specialised customer service to Chinese and Japanese speaking passengers right from their arrival at the airport, through check-in, outbound immigration and security screening.”  

“Our Tropical Ambassador volunteers work across the airport and were on hand as work progressed on the T1 Improvements Project to assist passengers with way-finding as well as providing a friendly welcome and helpful information about the airport.”