Lufthansa Airlines was the named overall winner of the 4th annual Aviation Business Excellence Awards (ABEA), which were held yesterday in Nairobi by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel finished as the overall first runner-up, while Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service emerged in the overall third position.
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel won the Hospitality category, Swissport Kenya Ltd got the Ground Handling & Transit Sheds award, and KCB Bank Ltd won the Retail Outlets (Banks & Forexes) award.
The Gala which brought together over 350 industry stakeholders to celebrate excellence in the aviation and related sectors, also marked the official launch of the ABEA Summit, a three-day event set to take place later this year.
The summit will serve as a strategic platform for industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, innovations, and opportunities within the aviation sector while fostering collaboration across East Africa.
Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, in his speech read by the newly appointed Principal Secretary for the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Teresia Mbaika highlighted the pivotal role of this year’s ABEA Summit challenging stakeholders to participate in numbers.
“This is an initiative that will take the Aviation Business Excellence Awards beyond Kenya to the entire East African region.The ABEA summit will serve as an interactive platform for aviation stakeholders to:Exchange knowledge on emerging trends and future technologies in aviation ,discuss policy frameworks that will strengthen regional aviation cooperation ,explore innovations that enhance passenger experience, cargo handling, and airport management and showcase groundbreaking sustainability initiatives and green airport solutions,”Remarked CS Chirchir
He continued. “The ABEA Summit will not only elevate Kenya’s leadership in aviation business excellence but also foster stronger regional partnerships. I urge all industry players to actively participate in next year’s inaugural ABEA Summit and make it a forum that drives transformation in African aviation.”Said CS Chirchir
On her part the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika commended the winners and underscored the government’s commitment to excellence in aviation.
“Tonight, we recognise the outstanding contributions of aviation stakeholders who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The Aviation Business Excellence Awards provide a critical platform to acknowledge those who are setting new benchmarks in service delivery and operational efficiency,” she stated.
Kenya Aviation Authority Authority Chairman Caleb Kositany emphasised the importance of such awards, as well as the upcoming ABEA Summit, in stimulating industry players.
“The launch of the ABEA Summit is a significant step toward strengthening industry partnerships and enhancing knowledge-sharing among aviation professionals,” noted Kositany
Overall Winners
• Lufthansa Airlines – ABEA Overall Winner
• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel – Overall 1st Runner-up
• Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service – Overall 2nd Runner-up
Category Winners
• Hospitality (Hotels): Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
• Ground Handling & Transit Sheds: Swissport Kenya Ltd
• Retail Outlets (Banks & Forexes): KCB Bank Ltd
• Hospitality (Restaurants): NAS Airport Services Ltd
• Clearing & Forwarding Agents: Mitchell Cotts Freight Kenya Ltd
• State Agencies: Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
• Airlines (General Aviation): Red Baron Aviation Training Institute
Achievement Awards
• Airlines (Cargo): Kenya Airways
• Consolidators/Integrators: Rolling Cargo Ltd
• Retail Outlets (Duty-Free & Specialized Shops): Dufry Kenya Ltd
Established in 2018, the ABEA program evaluates airport stakeholders using a rigorous business assessment tool, focusing on key themes such as Customer Focus, Leadership, Marketing, Sustainability, and People Focus.