Barcelona, a city renowned for its culinary heritage and vibrant culture, has been chosen as the host city for the prestigious 2025 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference and Awards. This highly anticipated event, scheduled for June 25-26, 2025, will bring together leading figures from the global airport, food & beverage, and hospitality sectors. The conference is organized by The Moodie Davitt Report and hosted by Aena, the world’s leading airport operator by passenger numbers.
This marks a significant return for the FAB Awards to Europe, following successful editions in Amsterdam, Dubai, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Toronto. The event, which began in Manchester in 2011, experienced a temporary pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming in Bangkok in 2023 and Ontario, California in 2024. Barcelona’s selection underscores the city’s growing prominence as a global hub for innovation and excellence in the travel industry.
Aena’s impressive growth trajectory further strengthens the event’s significance. Managing 64 airports worldwide, including 46 in Spain, Aena served over 266 million passengers in its Spanish airports from January to October 2024—a remarkable 9.4% year-on-year increase. This surge in passenger numbers is accompanied by a 7.6% rise in flight movements (2.2 million) during the same period. The company’s financial performance reflects this positive trend, with commercial revenue reaching €1.32 billion for the first nine months of 2024, a substantial 16.6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is largely attributed to strong sales in retail and, significantly, food and beverage activities.
Maria José Cuenda, Aena’s Commercial and Real Estate Managing Director, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The FAB Awards are a premier celebration of excellence in food & beverage within the travel retail sector. Hosting this event in Barcelona, a city renowned for its culinary heritage and vibrant culture, is a tremendous honor for Aena. It’s more than an awards ceremony – it’s a platform to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and set new industry benchmarks.”
The 2025 FAB Conference and Awards promise an engaging program featuring senior executives from airports, F&B concessionaires, hospitality providers, and business partners from around the globe. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore emerging trends, share best practices, network with industry peers, and experience Barcelona’s renowned culinary and cultural offerings. This milestone event is poised to significantly influence the future of airport hospitality and F&B, solidifying Barcelona’s position as a leading global destination and a crucial player in shaping the future of the travel experience.
