Etihad and Emirates top CAPA awards

CAPA executive chairman Peter Harbison said: “The Gulf carriers have progressively disturbed the global airline equilibrium over recent years, and 2012 has seen a rapid escalation of this process. None has been more distinctive and mould-changing than Etihad, under the leadership of James Hogan.  The strategy James has adopted – of penetrating each of the key regions with targeted partnerships and equity investments – has set a new, and irreversible, direction for the global airline industry,” Harbison added.

Etihad continues its growth ambitions in 2013, with more than 90 aircraft on firm order including 10 A380s.  The airline currently serves 86 destinations with a fleet of 68 aircraft.  Etihad has equity investments in Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Seychelles and Virgin Australia.

Presenting the award to Emirates, Harbison said: “Emirates has formulated a comprehensive model which has become a game changer, most notably in 2012 as its network density has gone to a new level. Its strategic leadership in air services liberalisation, despite reaction in some markets, has helped transform traffic flows, contributing to enormous strategic change in the industry. All the while, Emirates has continued to be profitable in face of difficult market conditions”.

Other awards presented include Amsterdam as airport of the year, Brazil’s Azul as low cost carrier of the year and China’s Spring Airlines as regional airline of the year.