Europe goes three weeks without a win – no entries either! North America takes back-to-back victories

This week there were no entries from Europe, as new route launches in northern hemisphere summer dry-up. That said, the region still dominates the annual competition, with 66% of all entries so far. With 39 FTWAs (15%) and in second spot is North America, which provided three competitors this week, including the weekly winner. Asia (7%) then leads the pack of global regions trailing in the wake of these two, with South America (5%) and the Middle East (3%) still in with a chance of stealing third or even second position (with a concerted effort). In terms of total entries, 2017 is still ahead of last year, with the last eight months having amassed 264 FTWAs versus 244 from the same period in 2016. Keep Monitoring!!

Frontier Airlines Orlando to Providence 14 August 

What was a good year for Providence…is now a great one…

Judges’ comments: 2017 has been a bit of landmark year for Providence Airport. Earlier this summer, the airport secured a whole load of transatlantic flights courtesy of the arrival of Norwegian’s services from Belfast, Bergen, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh and Shannon (it should be noted the airport did already have TACV flights from Ponta Delgada in the Azores). ULCC Frontier Airlines started operations this week, with more routes to come in October. However, the cherry on the cake for the airport serving the capital of Rhode Island has now arrived – winning the Arch of Triumph weekly title. What a year!!

Jonny: 8.0; Kerry: 8.2; Marc: 8.5; Paul: 8.2.

Qatar Airways Doha to Sohar 8 August

Oman’s third busiest airport gives us its first-ever FTWA…

Judges’ comments: Sohar Airport is now better-connected to the world, with the start of Qatar Airways’ service this week. The fledgling Omani airport is not only making its way in the world in terms of route development, but this FTWA is also the first one we have received from the country’s third busiest facility. In terms of debuts its definitely not the worst we have received…but its unlikely to trouble the 2017 competition leader board either…

Jonny: 7.5; Kerry: 6.9; Marc: 7.2; Paul: 7.2.

Aeromar Mexico City to Monclova 9 August 

Hey…we love this hands on version of the FTWA…

Judges’ comments: Having worked at a small airport (this new route is Monclova’s only scheduled service), I know what its like to have to do anything and everything as part of your job. That seems to be what is happening here, with this fantastic hands-on approach being adopted for this FTWA by the airport’s firecrew – who will have already checked in the passengers and will then be loading their bags once the props stop spinning. Bomberos bravo!!

Jonny: 6.1; Kerry: 5.7; Marc: 5.8; Paul: 5.9.

AirAsia Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville 9 August

Yuk! Not the best advert for a visit to Cambodia…

Judges’ comments: I got told off last week for complaining about the weather in an FTWA in Chile…so I am not going to start with this one. But…blummin’ eck…it looks miserable in Cambodia!! It’s hard to tell whether the rain clouds or the FTWA’s water jets are lower…

Jonny: 6.8; Kerry: 6.5; Marc: 7.1; Paul: 6.8.

Frontier Airlines Las Vegas to Memphis 14 August 

The home of Elvis…is not the home of great FTWAs…

Judges’ comments: The home of rock ‘n roll is famous for many things – Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion and the legendary Sun Studio where greats such as B.B. King, Jonny Cash and of course Presley recorded some of their albums. One thing is for certain, with this effort Memphis is not going to be known as the home of great FTWAs…

Jonny: 4.8; Kerry: 5.2; Marc: 4.9; Paul: 5.0.