PRESS COMMENTS  | PAGE 1  | PAGE 2  | PRESS ROOM  | WINNERS LIST  |

Leading figures from the global aviation industry comment on the Skytrax World Airline Awards

Qatar Airways once again triumphed at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards, winning three top accolades including the main award as Best Airline in the World for the second year running. Qatar Airways retained the coveted title of Airline of the Year 2012 and notched up two further awards - Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh consecutive year and the Best Airline Staff Service award in the Middle East.

Qatar Airways CEO, Mr Akbar Al Baker hailed the achievements as a “fantastic recognition”  of all employees at Qatar Airways for their dedication and commitment to their job.  “I am extremely proud of the praise given once again by the very people who fly, the travelling public for their support and faith in Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways set out on a mission 15 years ago when we launched to be the world's best airline and spreading the airline's brand to all corners of the world. Last year we achieved that. Retaining awards is always difficult, but we have managed to do so amid the tough competition which only shows we remain focused in our day to day job of offering passengers what they fully deserve - highest standards of service in the air and on the ground”   said Mr Al Baker.

Earlier in the ceremony, Malaysia Airlines received the 5-Star Airline certification and their real success was winning the award for World's Best Cabin Staff. The Malaysia Airlines Satay Service was also honoured as the Best Airline Signature Dish.

Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Mr Ahmad Jauhari Yahya commented  “I am pleased that our MAS team has been recognised for its passion to deliver the best service to our guests for memorable experiences during their journey with us. It is an honour to be recognised by our passengers as leading the way in service and hospitality on board Malaysia Airlines, AND to receive this prestigious 5-star ranking. Of course, this is not the end for us. With our new fleet of planes and a significant refurbishment throughout our services, we hope to win more next year.”

AirAsia wins the award as the World's Best Low-Cost Airline, a fantastic achievement being the fourth consecutive year that AirAsia has triumphed in this global category.

Mr Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia, received the World's Best Low Cost Airline award, as well as picking up the award for Best Low Cost Airline in Asia. Tony Fernandes attributed the success to his “great staff with great discipline. We fight hard to give low fares yet provide great service.”

The World Airline Awards provided a double success for Garuda Indonesia. The airline's President , Emirsyah Satar accepted the award for the World's Best Regional Airline and the Best Regional Airline Asia.

Garuda Indonesia's VP for Communications, Pujobroto, said “the award is the result of the hard work we have been doing so far. We will continue to work harder in order to enhance our services.”

South African Airways (SAA) was named the Best Airline in Africa for the 10th year in a row, also receiving the Award for the Best Airline Staff Service in Africa, with Ms Cheryl Carolus, SAA Chairperson and Ms Siza Mzimela, CEO of South African Airways attending the awards at the Farnborough Air Show.

Ms Siza Mzimela, CEO of South African Airways commented: “This has again confirmed that SAA, with our excellent service and very convenient connections to 26 African destinations via our Johannesburg hub, ranks with the best in the world .We are immensely proud of our staff, because it is their consistent, professional and dedicated approach combined with our reliable fleet, our hospitable and advanced on board product and the convenient connectivity we offer through our global route network that led passengers to again rate SAA number one in Africa.”

IndiGo achieved great success as Mr Aditya Ghosh, President of IndiGo received the winner's award for the Best Low Cost Airline in Central Asia and India and also for the Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia and India.

Commenting on the Award, Mr Aditya Ghosh said: “To be recognised at the world stage for the two most prestigious accolades is indeed an exhilarating yet humbling experience. It's really big for us and this recognition is proof enough to let everybody know that customer service is not just a department but an attitude. What's even more thrilling is that we are the only airline from India to have received an award at the World Airline Awards this year. This makes the occasion even more special and momentous.”

Oman Air were named winner of the world's Best Business Class Seat for the second year running, and the Award was received by the CEO of Oman Air, Mr Wayne Pearce..

Commenting on the Award, Mr Pearce said: “Winning Best Business Class Seat in the World for the second consecutive year is an outstanding accolade, as is being nominated in so many other categories, and I would like to thank the World Airline Awards and all those who voted for Oman Air. This award recognises the superb quality of our Business Class product and the number of votes that Oman Air received indicates not only that our customers are impressed by their passenger experience, but also that our Business Class service truly exceeds their expectations. Ever since we introduced our A330 Business Class seat, with its unparalleled comfort, space and luxury, customers have often mistaken it for First Class and it is clear that our focus on delivering the very best in all areas of our work is appreciated by air travellers around the world.”

Air Transat was named as the World's Best Leisure Airline by air travellers, the award received by Director of Airports, Mr John Hetherington.

Mr Allen B. Graham, CEO of Air Transat commented: “We are very proud to receive this important distinction. The World Airline Awards are the most prestigious an airline can receive, and the fact that it recognizes Air Transat as the world's leading airline in our category makes it that much more important. Furthermore, we receive this award as we begin to refurbish our cabins, which will guarantee a considerably improved in-flight experience. Satisfied passengers haven't seen anything yet.”

ANA All Nippon Airways, had a good year at the awards entering the Top 10 Global Airline ranking at Number 5, with Mr Tetsuo Fukuda, ANA Senior Vice President  and Head of Customer Service & Products receiving the award for Best Transpacific Airline.

Mr Tetsuo Fukuda commented: “We are very proud and honored to receive the Best Transpacific Airline Award from SKYTRAX. As a full-service airline, ANA will continue to provide best-in-class products and services that clearly distinguish us from the low cost carriers, with the goal of becoming Asia’s Number One airline for quality and customer satisfaction. Under our brand concept ‘Inspiration of Japan’, we are working hard to exceed passengers' expectations and deliver an outstanding in-flight experience.”

Ending a previous series of wins in the category by Thomson Airways, Air Transat was named as the World's Best Leisure Airline by air travellers, the award received by Director of Airports, Mr John Hetherington.

Mr Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada commented:  “We are delighted that the Skytrax World Airline Awards has again recognized Air Canada as the Best International Airline in North America. It affirms Air Canada's ranking among the world's best airlines and underscores the success of our strategy to transform Air Canada into an international powerhouse. This top rating by air travelers for three consecutive years demonstrates that passengers appreciate the Air Canada travel experience including our recently expanded, award-winning seatback entertainment system offering, concierge service, enhanced mobile and online services and the evolution of our Maple Leaf lounge product. The award also recognizes the dedication and professionalism of Air Canada employees in delivering our world class products and services and taking care of our customers.”

Cathay Pacific received great commendation of their new product by winning the award for World's Best Business Class. 

Mr John Slosar, CEO of Cathay Pacific said:  “This year's award becomes even more meaningful as our new Business Class is a genuine collaboration between our customers and our own team. The customers know best. This is why in designing the business class product we talked to our customers, listened to their feedback, and then incorporated those features they told us would provide them with the optimal balance of productivity, comfort, and privacy. This is a seating environment truly designed by the people who use it.  Of course the best seat would be just a seat were it not complemented by outstanding service. People do make an airline - and this is not just an advertising slogan. They are the winning element that can't be easily replicated and we're fortunate that, on the ground and in the air, we have the industry's best people serving our customers. My thanks go to the many, many Cathay Pacific staff who make possible our award-winning service.”

PRESS COMMENTS  | PAGE 1  | PAGE 2  | PRESS ROOM  | WINNERS LIST  |