Asiana Airlines Named AIRLINE OF THE YEAR by Air Transport World Magazine - New York, NY (January 28, 2009)
Penton Media’s
Air Transport World, the leading monthly magazine covering the global airline industry, today announced the selection of Asiana Airlines as its Airline of the Year for 2009. Asiana, based in Seoul, South Korea, was recognized for its superb commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence as reflected in industry-leading dispatch reliability and engine inflight shutdown rates. The awards will be presented on February 17 in Washington, D.C., at
ATW's gala awards dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
ATW's editors noted that Asiana's dedication to operating at the highest level of safety is matched by its devotion to superb customer service. Its designation as
one of only a handful of 5-Star Airlines by Skytrax speaks to that commitment as do its significant investments in inflight services and amenities and cabin attendant training. ATW's editors also took into account Asiana's financial performance, with aggregate earnings of $542 million between 2004 and 2007.
Read moreExeter, U.K.-based Flybe was named Regional Airline of the Year. Flybe is an industry trendsetter that has demonstrated innovation, adaptation and a willingness to take calculated business risks over its 30-year history as it has grown organically and through acquisition to become Europe's largest regional airline. The editors also applauded Flybe for its early commitment to making consumers aware of the environmental implications of their choices in air travel by offering them an environmental report card of each flight they take.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, Chairman and CEO of International Lease Finance Corp., was presented with the Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award for his philanthropic efforts that led to the creation of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. The award also celebrates the leadership role Mr. Udvar-Hazy has played in challenging aircraft and engine makers to achieve the utmost efficiency and reliability for the world's airlines.
UPS Airlines was chosen as the Cargo Airline of the Year. It was recognized for its successful growth over the past two decades, including the rapid development of a global network. The editors were impressed with UPS Airlines’ commitment to safe operations and history of technological innovation, ranging from the way in which parcels are sorted and delivered to leading-edge Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast flight tests that could benefit the entire air transport industry.
Naverus received the Aviation Technology Achievement award for its path-breaking work in developing and commercializing Required Navigation Performance (RNP) for use by the world's airlines and air navigation services providers. RNP combines state-of-the art avionics and systems with global positioning system technology to improve safety and efficiency. More recently, it has become an important tool in reducing the environmental footprint of aircraft.
Norwegian Air Service ASA was presented with the Market Leadership Award. This award recognizes the Oslo-based airline's successful adaptation of the low-cost model to the Scandinavian air travel market. In particular, the editors were impressed by Norwegian's strategy to combine low fares with high tech, with a strong emphasis on customer-focused information technology.
Air New Zealand received the Public Relations Award. In choosing Air New Zealand, the editors cited the airline for creating an atmosphere of candor and open access to senior management and for effectively communicating the leadership role the airline has taken on environmental issues affecting aviation.
Air Transport World (
www.ATWOnline.com) is the leading, monthly magazine serving the airline and commercial aircraft manufacturing and support industries. It launched its awards program in 1974. ATW is published by Penton Media, Inc.
(Press Release | Photo: Airliners.net)
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