By Dominic Welling

Air France-KLM Cargo has won the award for best cargo company at the Schiphol Aviation Awards.

Each year, Schiphol presents it aviation awards to clients and business partners who have distinguished themselves apart from other companies at the airport in terms of their innovative business management or positive performance.

Air France-KLM won the cargo award for its "ground-breaking initiatives on behalf of Schiphol SmartGate Cargo, its integrated approach to goods inspection and its pioneering role in the implementation of e-freight."

Meanwhile, the ground handling award went to KLM Ground Services for "excellent performance in the area of operational handling, its customer-friendly attitude, speed of service and effective cooperation in day-to-day operations."

Other awards included:

• Airline of the Year Europe - easyjet, for showing rapid growth and launching new routes to Prague, Split, Manchester, Berlin and Barcelona
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• Airline of the Year North & South America - Arke Fly, for solid growth
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• Airline of the Year Asia - KLM, for opening a new route between Amsterdam and Hangzhou and increasing the number of flights to Tokyo
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• Airline of the Year Africa & Middle East - Emirates, for solid growth and operating the quietest aircraft
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• Most Promising Airline - China Southern Airlines, for its "impressive" contribution to the growth of Schiphol in terms of both cargo and passengers.