World Airline Awards to 10 global airlines
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LONDON – To celebrate the results of the latest SKYTRAX global passenger survey, more than 140 top airline management and guests from around the world attended the World Airline Awards at the Farnborough International Air Show.
The top award for Airline of the Year was won by Qatar Airways for the second year running, who also collected the Best Airline Middle East and Best Staff Service Middle East. Receiving the award, Mr Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, said “I am extremely product of the praise once again given by the very people who fly, the travelling public for their support and faith in Qatar Airways.”.
Earlier in the ceremony, Mr Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, Group CEO collected Malaysia Airlines 5-Star Airline certification and their real success followed by taking the award for World’s Best Cabin Staff. The Malaysia Airlines ‘Satay Service’ was also honoured as the Best Airline Signature Dish.
Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia, received the award for World’s Best Low Cost Airline also picking up the award for Best Low Cost Airline in Asia.
It was a day of double success for Garuda Indonesia, whose President & CEO, Mr Emirsyah Satar accepted the award for the World’s Best Regional Airline and the Best Regional Airline Asia.
There was a large representation of Chinese airlines attending the awards with Mr Bing Tang, Executive Vice President of China Eastern being delighted to accept the title of World’s Most Improved Airline. Topping the rankings in China, Hainan Airlines Vice President, Mr Yu Wenyong, collected the awards for Best Airline in China and Best Staff Service in China. Shenzhen Airlines received their award for Best Regional Airline in China at the ceremony.
Emirates continued its winning streak by claiming the title World’s Best Inflight Entertainment with 8th consecutive year.
Etihad Airways completed a great hat trick of awards claiming the titles World’s Best First Class, Best First Class Catering and Best First Class Seat.
Cathay Pacific received great commendation of their new product by winning the award for World’s Best Business Class.
Qantas collected the awards for World’s Best Premium Economy and Best Premium Economy Catering and also secured a great win in the Best First Class Lounge category.
Singapore Airlines Economy Class cabin was a popular choice this year with the airline collecting the awards for World’s Best Economy Class and Best Economy Class Catering.
Ms Cheryl Carolus, Chairperson and Ms Siza Mzimela, CEO of South African Airways celebrated a decade of success by collecting the award for Best Airline in Africa for the 10th year running. They also received the top prize being named Best Staff Service in Africa.
Virgin Australia achieved great success this by being named as the Best Airline in Australia / Pacific and also securing the award for Best Staff Service in Australia / Pacific.
Air Astana had double cause to celebrate as their President, Mr Peter Foster collected their 4-Star Airline Certification and the award for Best Airline in Central Asia / India.
Turkish Airlines President & CEO, Dr Temel Kotil was in good spirits as his airline collected the Best Airline in Europe award for the 2nd year. Turkish Airlines had other success being named Best Airline in Southern Europe and Best Premium Economy Seat.
Asiana Airlines fought off tough competition as they secured the top prize as Best Airline in Asia in a very competitive category. The airline also achieved the top prize in the Best Economy Class Seat section.
ANA All Nippon Airways, had a good year at the awards entering the top 10 global airlines in position 5 with Mr Tetsuo Fukuda, Senior Vice President also receiving the award for Best Transpacific Airline.
Thai Airways International collected the award for World’s Best Airport Services and maintained their position in the top 10 global airlines.
Mr Wayne Pearce, CEO of Oman Air collected their award for Best Business Class Seat as they won this prize for the 2nd successive year.
Mr Theodore Vassilakis, President and Mr Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of Aegean Airlines collected the award for Best Regional Airline Europe continuing the airlines dominance winning this award for the 3rd time in 4 years.
IndiGo Airlines achieved great success as Mr Aditya Ghosh, President of the airline collected the awards for Best Low Cost Airline in Central Asia / India and Best Staff Service in Central Asia / India.
Virgin America had another year of achievement by scooping 3 top awards being named Best Domestic Airline in North America, Best Low Cost Airline in North America and also having the Best Staff Service in North America. Source: www.worldairlineawards.com
World’s Top 10 Airlines – 2012
1 Qatar Airways
2 Asiana Airlines
3 Singapore Airlines
4 Cathay Pacific Airways
5 ANA All Nippon Airways
6 Etihad Airways
7 Turkish Airlines
8 Emirates
9 Thai Airways
10 Malaysia Airlines