A feature published by The Sunday Times has spotlighted several of the standout winners from the Aviation Industry Awards UK 2026, drawing national attention to the third annual ceremony held at Park Plaza London Riverbank.

The piece centres on Saxon Air, which emerged as the night's standout performer, securing Aviation Company of the Year and the Aviation Sustainability & Environment Award for its Solar Plane Port and SKYCHARGE project at Norwich Airport. The judging panel described the project as a standout example of innovation, ambition and leadership in modern aviation, noting that it supports the infrastructure on which the next generation of electric aviation will depend.

Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou received the Outstanding Contribution to the Aviation Industry award, with the citation highlighting his role in launching the airline in 1994 and his philanthropic work through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. In a pre-recorded video message, he thanked the 19,000 people who work for easyJet and said the journey from a couple of aircraft to a business that gives back to society was "a great achievement".

STS Engine Services took home the People Development Award and the Women in Aviation Award, while Manchester Airport won the Airport Achievement Award and the Communications Award.

Newcastle International Airport was named Airport of the Year. PA Consulting won Technology Innovation Project of the Year for its Optima engine maintenance product, which has delivered a 20% reduction in airline engine spend.

Further winners included Air Canada Cargo (Air Cargo Award), MRO-PRO (Aviation Innovation Award), Aurora Avionics (Breakthrough Aerospace Technology Award) and NATS (Best Use of Technology Award).

Stansted Airport College won the Aviation Professional Training Award, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays took the Apprenticeship Programme Award, and Osprey Flight Solutions won the Global Impact in Aviation Award.

TravelUp.com and Swiipr were named Service Provider of the Year in the over 100 and under 100 employee categories respectively, while Air Charter Service won the Aviation Customer Focus Achievement Award.

RTX Quadcopter Challenge claimed the Social Impact Award for its STEM initiative inspiring more than 3,000 students since 2015.

Judging coordinator Professor Richard Curran praised the outstanding calibre of entries and evidence of achievement across communications, women in aviation, social impact and aviation sustainability.

Hosted by Andrew Maxwell, this year's ceremony welcomed 207 guests and presented 20 trophies from 91 entries. The awards were sponsored by STS Engine Services and ATC Training Limited, with Amárach Research as supporter.

The Sunday Times serves as Communications Partner to the Aviation Industry Awards UK, providing national editorial coverage that extends the programme's reach beyond the gala night itself. The full feature is available to read now on The Sunday Times website.

For the complete 2026 winners list, category details, and profile of the judges, visit the official Aviation Industry Awards UK website.