Excellence in the Traveller Experience – Individual

This award category commends individuals from all organisations across the airport precinct who consistently put the needs of our travellers first. Award nominees in this category significantly contribute to Melbourne Airport being named Best Airport in Australia and the Pacific in the 2025 World Airport Awards for the third year in a row!

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee embodies our vision 'to be Australia’s favourite airport destination’ by consistently demonstrating a level of excellence when interacting with or on behalf of travellers

Passion: The nominee is visionary, demonstrating courage to innovate and achieve goals in their personal commitment to the traveller

Accountability: The nominee demonstrates an understanding and has a high regard for the traveller experience, taking responsibility for interactions and their impact on the traveller 

Collaboration: When challenges arise, the nominee not only demonstrates resilience and creativity, but works collaboratively to ensure the traveller experience is an exceptional one

Excellence in the Traveller Experience – Organisation

The work of many organisations contributes to Melbourne Airport’s vision 'to be Australia’s favourite airport destination’. This award category signifies our commitment to working with organisations that consistently deliver the highest standard of interaction with our travellers.

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence when interacting with or on behalf of travellers

Passion: The nominee believes in and stands by our vision, is committed to bringing a creative voice to challenging issues in the best interest of the traveller experience

Accountability: The nominee demonstrates an understanding of the traveller experience, is results driven and takes responsibility for interactions with or on behalf of travellers

Collaboration: The nominee demonstrates a willingness to communicate openly, be resilient and flexible with others in the pursuit of an exceptional traveller experience

Excellence in Teamwork & Collaboration

Recognising that teamwork can come from both formal structures and impromptu collaborations between staff from different organisations, this award honours the people who unite and bring out their best capabilities to achieve success.

Open to any team or group of collaborators who work towards the Melbourne Airport vision.

Please note: Up to six team members can be nominated in this category.

Criteria

Authenticity: Each team member possesses a desire to perform at their best, both individually and as a collective. The team as a whole demonstrates trust and acts with integrity

Passion: A spirit of teamwork is evident in all team members and approach the pursuit of excellence as an equally shared goal 

Accountability: Each team member equally demonstrates a level of personal responsibility and is equally dedicated to the pursuit of excellence

Collaboration: Each individual connects with each other as a united team that communicates with respect, builds and maintains trusting relationships that cultivate success

Business Partner of the Year

Reliable and trusted partners and suppliers are critical to the efficient workings of our 24/7 airport operation. This award pays tribute to the organisations and people within, who have the willingness to consistently work at a level that exceeds what is negotiated, contracted and expected.

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee initiates continuous improvement in their relationship with Melbourne Airport, working to consistently produce a level of outperformance 

Passion: The nominee is motivated to act in Melbourne Airport's best interests and is driven by a desire to represent Melbourne Airport at the highest possible level

Accountability: The nominee is proud to partner with Melbourne Airport, is driven to pursue opportunities that result in performance well beyond expectation

Collaboration: The nominee values and promotes the collective input from their team and their Melbourne Airport representatives, in the pursuit of excellence

Excellence in Environment, Social & Governance

This award recognises the commitment provided by organisations to Melbourne Airport’s performance as a steward of the environment, contributing to the enhancement of the airport’s reputation on the world stage, and as a sustainable business.

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee is considered a leader in the field of environmental sustainability and positively contributes to enhancing Melbourne Airport’s reputation as a leading airport brand

Passion: The nominee is motivated to act in Melbourne Airport’s best interests as a steward of the environment and as a sustainable business. They bring superior knowledge and experience to the partnership, contributing to our airport’s global aviation reputation

Accountability: The nominee identifies and delivers world-class environmental solutions to Melbourne Airport’s business sustainability program. They are driven to pursue unique and successful opportunities that result in positioning the airport as an ESG visionary

Retailer of the Year

Many of Melbourne Airport's retailers, cafés and bars operate from first to last flight every day of the year. The Retailer of the Year award honours the retailers who deliver outstanding results in their pursuit to bring the very best of Melbourne's world-renowned dining, café and bar scene to the airport.

Please note: Entry and judging for the Retailer of the Year is separate to the other categories

Melbourne Airport Spotlight Award

The Melbourne Airport Spotlight Award shines a light on developments or projects that deliver a unique value or attribute to the airport. This award category is a showcase of ventures, with the winner propelling Melbourne Airport further on the world stage.

Please note: Entry and judging for the Melbourne Airport Spotlight Award is separate to the other categories

Airline of the Year

One of our most prestigious categories, the 'Airline of the Year' honours a Melbourne Airport airline partner who delivers operational consistency across all areas of the traveller experience and the maintenance of safe and secure operations.

Please note: Entry and judging for Airline of the Year is separate to the other categories

Marc Storti Award for Safety

This award epitomises Melbourne Airport’s non-negotiable commitment to workplace safety. With a cash prize of $10,000.00, the winner of the Marc Storti Award for Safety exemplifies safety leadership for travellers, visitors and the entire airport community.

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee takes the initiative to personally contribute to the culture of safety across the airport community 

Passion: The nominee is self-motivated and driven to ensuring the environment is safe for airport colleagues and travellers 

Accountability: Leading by example, the nominee embodies safety leadership, consistently demonstrating their commitment to workplace safety 

Collaboration: The nominee values and prioritises the expertise of a collaborative environment to identify and implement workplace safety solutions

Humanitarian Award

The Humanitarian Award reflects the spirit of humanity that lives within the people who work at Melbourne Airport. This award is the heart of Melbourne Airport with care, cooperation and compassion taking centre stage.

Open to anyone working at the airport who embodies the spirit of humanity when interacting and supporting those in need.

Criteria

Authenticity: The nominee demonstrates a spirit of humanity and trust when interacting with our travellers

Passion: The nominee demonstrates altruism, exceeding the level of professional customer service expected in their position 

Accountability: By demonstrating resilience and creativity when challenges arise, the nominee supports those in need with self-interest taking a subordinate role

Collaboration: The nominee demonstrates commitment to our vision 'to be Australia’s favourite airport destination’ by their own behaviour and the way in which they interact with colleagues and the broader airport community

Barista of the Year

Melbourne’s love affair with coffee is celebrated in the Melbourne Airport ‘Barista of the Year’ award. Each awards program, the skills of our passionate world-class Baristas are elevated to new levels in this highly competitive and much sought-after category.

Please note: Entry and judging for Barista of the Year is separate to the other categories

Chair's Award for Excellence

The pinnacle of the program, the Chair’s Award for Excellence recognises the individual who epitomises excellence in the performance of their work at Melbourne Airport. This award is a celebration of consistent, extraordinary accomplishment and dedication to the pursuit of excellence. It comes with a $10,000.00 prize and a beautifully crafted trophy.

Open to / selected from the individual category winners, except Barista of the Year.