Routes Americas Awards Reveal Destinations Transforming Air Travel Across the Americas

Published on March 4, 2026

By: Tuhin Sarkar

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As aviation leaders gather in Rio de Janeiro for Routes Americas 2026, the spotlight is also shining on the destinations and airports that have played a critical role in expanding air connectivity across the region. The Routes Americas 2026 Awards highlight the strategic partnerships, marketing innovation and route development initiatives that have strengthened airline networks throughout the Americas.

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The awards recognise the organisations working behind the scenes to secure new air routes, support airline partners and expand tourism access. From national tourism boards to airport authorities, the finalists represent some of the most dynamic players shaping the aviation landscape in the Western Hemisphere.

This year’s winners will be announced during the Routes Americas Networking Evening on 4 March at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, a gathering that brings together airline executives, airport leaders and destination marketing organisations from across the continent.

Celebrating Partnerships That Drive Connectivity

Unlike traditional tourism awards, the Routes Americas Awards focus specifically on the relationship between destinations, airports and airlines. The emphasis is on collaborative efforts that result in new flight routes, stronger airline partnerships and sustainable growth in passenger traffic.

The Destination Award recognises tourism authorities that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting airline partners through marketing initiatives, route development strategies and market research.

Meanwhile, the Airline Award honours carriers that have developed strong partnerships with airports and destinations to expand air connectivity across the Americas.

Airports themselves are evaluated in three categories based on annual passenger volume: under five million passengers, between five and twenty million passengers, and more than twenty million passengers. From these categories, an overall winner will be selected.

The judging process reflects the collaborative nature of route development. Airline representatives form the judging panel for airport and destination categories, while an independent editorial panel evaluates the airline category.

Barbados Promotes Sustainable Air Connectivity

Among the finalists for the Destination Award is Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), which has adopted a long-term strategy focused on sustainable air service growth rather than rapid expansion.

BTMI has developed a demand-driven approach that prioritises stable, year-round connectivity. Instead of chasing short-term capacity increases, the organisation works closely with airline partners to strengthen core routes and expand access through major hub airports.

Key partnerships with airlines such as Air Canada and JetBlue have been strengthened through joint marketing campaigns and trade engagement initiatives. By combining consumer marketing with data-driven route analysis, Barbados has built a network strategy designed to maintain consistent visitor flows while reducing seasonal fluctuations.

The island’s hub-focused model has also allowed it to deepen connectivity with major North American markets, ensuring that Barbados remains accessible to travellers throughout the year.

Belize Expands Its Global Reach

Another strong contender in the Destination Award category is the Belize Tourism Board, which has implemented a coordinated national strategy to strengthen international air connectivity.

Central to this approach is Belize’s Airlift Committee, a collaborative group bringing together government agencies, airport authorities and private-sector tourism stakeholders. This partnership allows Belize to align its aviation strategy with broader tourism goals.

The results have been significant. In recent years, Belize has secured new services from Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, opening additional routes from major cities including Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Baltimore and Montreal.

Capacity growth has been particularly impressive. Compared with pre-pandemic levels, passenger capacity from Los Angeles has increased by 476 percent, while Calgary and Minneapolis have seen growth of 150 percent and 143 percent respectively.

Additional expansion through Copa Airlines’ hub in Panama City has also strengthened Belize’s connections with South American markets.

Cayman Islands Strengthen Airline Partnerships

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) is another finalist recognised for its strong airline partnerships and targeted marketing strategies.

CIDOT has focused on building long-term relationships with airline partners, supporting new routes through marketing campaigns, trade promotions and coordinated media engagement.

This approach has produced tangible results. In December 2025 alone, the Cayman Islands welcomed six new non-stop services from North America. These included new flights by JetBlue and Spirit Airlines from Fort Lauderdale, Delta Air Lines from New York JFK and Detroit, and Porter Airlines from Toronto and Ottawa.

The destination’s growing connectivity is reflected in capacity figures for early 2026, with seat availability increasing by 18 percent during the first quarter compared with the previous year.

Each route is supported by tailored promotional campaigns designed to stimulate demand in specific markets, ensuring that airlines achieve strong load factors and sustainable operations.

Nassau Strengthens Its Gateway Role

The Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board has also been shortlisted for its efforts to strengthen the Bahamas’ role as a major gateway destination.

At the heart of this strategy is Lynden Pindling International Airport, which currently offers non-stop services from 48 international markets across North America, Europe and South America.

Average inbound capacity to Nassau now exceeds 6,200 seats per day, reflecting steady expansion in airline services.

Recent growth has added more than 73,000 additional airline seats, thanks to expanded operations by carriers including Air Canada, American Airlines, Bahamasair, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and WestJet.

Canada has been a particularly important market for the Bahamas. Passenger numbers from Canadian cities increased by seven percent year on year, while airline capacity rose by 15 percent.

Colombia Achieves Record Connectivity

Completing the Destination Award shortlist is ProColombia, the government agency responsible for promoting tourism and investment in Colombia.

The country experienced its strongest year for international air connectivity in 2025, with 30 international airlines serving 31 countries and 60 international destinations through direct flights to 11 Colombian cities.

International seat capacity surpassed 14.9 million, representing an increase of 11.9 percent compared with the previous year. Flight frequencies also rose by 10.2 percent, reaching more than 78,700 services.

During the year, Colombia launched 22 new international routes across the Americas and the Caribbean. New connections included flights linking Brasilia and Manaus with Bogotá through GOL, along with additional services from airlines such as Avianca, JetSMART, LATAM and Wingo.

ProColombia has also invested heavily in marketing initiatives, allocating more than $854,000 to 43 joint campaigns with 15 airline partners across 17 markets.

Recognising Innovation in Air Service Development

The Routes Americas Awards highlight how destinations, airlines and airports work together to expand global connectivity. Behind every new route lies a complex process involving market research, marketing investment and long-term collaboration between multiple stakeholders.

For destinations across the Americas, securing new airline routes is not only about tourism growth but also about economic development. Improved connectivity can stimulate trade, attract investment and strengthen international relationships.

As the aviation industry continues to recover and evolve, partnerships between airlines and destinations will remain essential in shaping the future of air travel.

The winners announced in Rio de Janeiro will represent some of the most successful examples of collaboration in the region’s aviation ecosystem.