AMSTERDAM: April 12, 2017. The Royal Schiphol Group has recognized its business partners who have distinguished themselves through innovative business operations or positive performance during the past year.

At an awards ceremony this week, Transavia won for operational excellence; Delta Air Lines for efficiency; KLM Cargo was recognized for enhancing the efficiency of European supply chains; Air Baltic for sustainability; and Jet Airways and KLM as respective winners in the Intercontinental and Europe passenger categories.

Together with Jan de Rijk, Kuehne + Nagel, Swissport, Dutch Customs and Cargonaut, KLM Cargo's reusing and improving existing data has led to a 20 percent improvement in lead times between Frankfurt and Amsterdam.

The judges noted the project is "a great step forward in creating a more efficient and transparent supply chain," and that "planning trucking from Frankfurt to Amsterdam has improved considerably".

"We are very happy with this recognition; it's an award for the industry," said Marcel de Nooijer, EVP, KLM-Air France Martinair Cargo. "Only by working closely together with a transparent mindset can we innovate, and stay ahead of competition.

De Nooijer said the group had also improved the predictability of the chain because they are better able to see which shipments have a long and short connection. "This success has encouraged us to implement this concept to our other 90 stations in Europe," he added.

With AirBridge Cargo and Pharma Gateway Amsterdam the other nominees in the cargo category, Schiphol head of Cargo Jonas van Stekelenburg noted: "We have a strong community at Schiphol Cargo, and the success of this initiative has been made possible through effective collaboration with our partners."

In awarding the efficiency prize to Delta Air Lines, the judges recognized the airline's focus on KPIs while remaining actively involved in developments at the airport that had resulted in "huge gains" in the past 12 months.

Last year airBaltic became the first to introduce a Bombardier CS300 to Schiphol and its use of the aircraft to reduce noise pollution and lower emission levels prompted the award for sustainability.

Jet Airways was recognized for setting up three new routes to and from India - adding Mumbai to Schiphol's destination network - while improving punctuality rates to where it is now one of the top five airlines for on-time arrivals.

The winners (right) received their awards from Birgit Otto, Royal Schiphol Group chief operations officer, and André van den Berg, chief commercial officer. "Royal Schiphol Group is proud to work with such innovative business partners,' said Otto.