Heathrow Airport has been named Airport of The Year 2015 as judges sorted through thousands of public votes before crowning the winner.

The award acknowledges Heathrow's successful opening of Terminal 2 and closure of Terminal 1, “all while extracting more capacity than any other two-runway in the world”.

Having received £11bn investment, the airport has been aiming at reaching the world's top spot and the award is not only recognition of this ambition but a testament to the quality of service the staff have delivered to the 73.4m passengers who pass through each year.

Chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: "Our vision is to give the passengers the best airport service in the world.

"I am delighted to receive this award and dedicate it to all the people who work extremely hard every day to make Heathrow better."

The airport has caused controversy across west London in recent months as it battles to clinch Government support for its proposed expansion and building of a third runway.

Over the weekend, thousands of campaigners attended a rally against the plans.

To see what the award-winning airport could look like if expansion goes ahead, click through our photo gallery below: