11 March 2025

Airport Awards for Canada: Toronto Pearson, Victoria and St. John’s Bring Home the Hardware

Major awards for three Canadian airports. A nice Air Canada sale. New hotels for Maui. Turkish Airlines becomes third busiest in the world. A new marketing plan for Fort Lauderdale. And a spiffy new Fairmont hotel/resort in Spain. Today’s blog post covers a lot of ground!

TORONTO, VICTORIA AND ST. JOHN’S AIRPORT AWARDS

Toronto Pearson Airport, along with airports in Victoria, B.C. and St. John’s, have won awards from Airports Council International (ACI).

As part of ACI’s annual Airport Service Quality awards, The Montreal-based group handed out three “Best Airport Awards” for North American facilities that serve more than 40 million pax per year. Pearson was one of them, along with Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta.

It’s the second year in a row that Pearson has won the award, and the seventh time in eight years.

Passenger information board at Toronto Pearson Airport. JIM BYERS PHOTO

The two winners in the less than two million pax per year category were both Canadian airports; Victoria and St. John’s, in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The ASQ award recognizes airports with the top 20% overall satisfaction score by size and region at departure.

ASQ winners in the two to five million passenger category were Portland, Oregon, Greenville-Spartanburg and Grand Rapids.

In the five to 15 million category, winners were New Orleans, Indianapolis and Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky.

Tampa and Dallas-Fort Worth were winners in the 15 to 25 million category, while La Guardia was the sole winner for airports that serve 25 to 40 million pax per year.

In the over 40 million pax category for Europe, ASQ awards were given to Istanbul in Turkiye and to Rome Fiumicino.

The head of Toronto Pearson said it was an honour to win the award for the second consecutive year.

“This achievement is a direct reflection of the passion and dedication of our employees, who show up every day and every night, demonstrating their commitment to our customers and delivering excellence,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson. “This recognition further strengthens our commitment to transforming Toronto Pearson into one of the most advanced, sustainable and passenger-friendly airports in the world.”

AIR CANADA SALE MARCH 12

Calgary – Brandon Farrell Photo

Air Canada has a sale that ends today, March 12, 2025. You can get 20% off select destinations and 15% off some sun destinations. I went online this morning and found one-way flights from Toronto to Calgary from $172, and round-trip flights between Montreal and Nice, France for $880.

NEW MAUI HOTELS ON THE WAY

Hilton is betting big on Maui. The former Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului (near the airport) is being upgraded to a Hilton Tapestry Collection property and is expected to open sometime next year. The old Maui Palms hotel is being rebuilt as a Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton and could open later this year. Both are oceanfront properties in the heart of Kahului that are just five to seven minutes from the Maui airport and close to great, casual restaurants and shopping.

TURKISH AIRLINES NOW THIRD LARGEST IN WORLD

A chef in Turkish Airlines business class. Meryl Pearlstein photo

Turkish Airlines has been recognized by the International Air Transport Association as the world’s third-largest airline for 2024 in both international passenger capacity and cargo market share.

This growth reflects Turkish Airlines’ commitment to elevating air travel through exceptional comfort, connectivity, and renowned onboard dining. With seamless stopovers in Istanbul and access to premium lounges worldwide, Turkish Airlines offers travelers elevated experiences both in the air and on the ground. The airline has steadily climbed the ranks, moving from 13th in 2012 to 3rd today, showcasing remarkable progress in the aviation sector.

Yours truly got to fly Turkish Airlines business class last fall and thought it was tremendous.

NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR FORT LAUDERDALE

Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Greater Fort Lauderdale has launched an all-new winter brand campaign, “Break Free,” designed to inspire travelers from cold-weather markets to leave the winter chill behind and escape on a warm, exciting South Florida getaway. With engaging visuals that will peak travelers’ curiosity and messaging that plays to their winter wanderlust, the “Break Free” campaign is now live on multiple platforms and will build to a dynamic live mid-March activation in Chicago’s Pioneer Court.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida. JIM BYERS PHOTO

“Our winter campaign invites travelers to ‘Break Free’ from the cold and immerse themselves in the sunshine, outdoor adventures and the coastal charm of Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “With 24 miles of golden sandy beaches encompassing eight unique beach towns, world-class dining, and a thriving arts and culture scene, there is truly no better place to soak up the sun and create unforgettable memories this winter.”

I didn’t see any Canadian cities on their list of destinations for marketing. But maybe that’s not a surprise given the tension between the U.S. and Canada right now. Reports suggest some Canadian publications have put a pause on running travel stories about U.S. destinations, and some Canadian p.r. firms that represent U.S. destinations say they stepped back from promoting the States for the moment.

The Arizona Office of Tourism and Visit Tucson put on a media event in Toronto two weeks ago, but they approached it very well.

“We wanted to show love and appreciation for all your visits in the past and future,” Marjorie Magnusson, Media Relations Manager with the Arizona Office of Tourism, told Open Jaw. “We’ve been coming to the Canadian market for a while and it is still an important market. We don’t want to turn our backs. We cherish the friendship.”

Magnusson said Arizona is easing up on its marketing efforts in Canada for “a few months.”

“We don’t want to be tone-deaf. A lot of destinations are doing that,” she explained.

It pains me to see, but I do understand the reasons behind it and hope things change soon.

NEW FAIRMONT IN SPAIN

Spain lovers have a new resort/hotel to check out.

Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol officially opened its doors on February 21, 2025. Located along the stunning coastline of La Alcaidesa, Spain, this five-star retreat “redefines the essence of luxury and relaxation, a perfect escape from the cold Canadian winter months,” Fairmont said.

Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol in Spain

“With nearly half of Canadian travelers (48%) less likely to visit the U.S. in 2025 compared to last year, this European haven presents a perfect alternative. With a range of accommodations that cater to every need, guests can wake up to panoramic views of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, bask in the golden Andalusian sun, and experience the warmth of true European hospitality,” officials said in a press release.

The hotel boasts Michelin-starred dining by Chef Benito Gómez, Spa Fairmont La Hacienda, and an infinity pool set against the Mediterranean.

To mark the grand debut, Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol invites guests on a Mediterranean escape with its exclusive New Opening Offer. Enjoy a complimentary room upgrade, breakfast at El Faro La Hacienda, a €100 food and beverage credit per stay, and a guaranteed early check-in and late check-out when booking a minimum of four nights between now and June 30, 2025.

Tagged as: Air Canada, Costa del Sol, Fairmont Hotels, Fort Lauderdale, Spain, toronto. Pearson Airport, Turkish Airlines, world’s best airports

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