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Emirates has won the airline of the year, while Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe has been named CEO of the year at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation’s annual airline awards.
Emirates was awarded the airline of the year in recognition of its continued growth and profitability over the past year, while CAPA executive chairman Peter Harbison also noted that its “influence on competitor airline strategy continues to increase, as it aggressively enters new markets and expands others and demonstrates leadership in high quality passenger service.”
Tiger Airways was named the low cost airline of the year, with Harbison noting that the airline has had a major impact in the Singaporean and Australian low cost markets which is set to continue with its planned Thai Tiger operation in Bangkok. “Headed by an excellent management team, Tiger is one of the world’s best positioned LCCs to benefit from the growth in economic development and liberalisation of Asia Pacific aviation markets,” Harbison said.
Rob Fyfe’s award recognised the hands-on, innovative approach of the Air New Zealand CEO, which CAPA says has now placed the airline in a strong position to benefit from the recovery in longhaul air travel.
Regional Express was named as regional carrier of the year. Rex previously won the same award in 2007 and 2008.
CAPA also announced that former Virgin Blue CEO Brett Godfrey has joined the CAPA Hall of Fame. “Virgin Blue would never have become a viable airline force without his passion, his obsessiveness and even pedanticism – to use his own description of himself,” said Harbison.
