4 June 2008, London - Singapore was the major winner at the 26th OAG Airline Industry Awards with the country’s airline, Singapore Airlines, voted “OAG Airline of the Year”, and the country’s main international airport, Singapore Changi, voted Best Airport. The Award winners were announced on the night of Wednesday, 4 June in the art deco setting of The Bloomsbury Ballroom in central London.
“This is a very special night for Singapore,” says Alan Glass, CEO of OAG. “Our congratulations go to the airline, the airport, the Government and the people of Singapore. The level of service and innovation that Singapore Airlines and Singapore Changi have consistently offered the travelling public is reflected by the way OAG subscribers, the world’s frequent fliers, have voted. The slogan for Singapore Changi is ‘Enjoy the experience’. Travellers who use the airport and the airline clearly do.”
Singapore Airlines last won the coveted Spirit of Flight trophy for “Airline of the Year” back in 2003. The trophy was presented by President of Boeing UK, Sir Roger Bone, which sponsored the Awards. Singapore Airlines has now won the “OAG Airline of the Year” award on six occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982, more than any other carrier and one more than British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Other airlines nominated this year for “OAG Airline of the Year” included American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa.
As well as winning “OAG Airline of the Year”, Singapore Airlines won awards for Best Airline Based in Asia and Best International First Class. Singapore Airlines’ home base, Singapore Changi, fought off extremely stiff competition to reclaim the Best Airport crown it last won in 2006.
UK-based easyJet took the title of Best Low Cost Airline for the first time, beating last year’s winner jetBlue as well as Jetstar, Ryanair and Southwest Airlines. This was the first time this award has gone to a European low cost carrier.
Multiple winners on the night included last year’s “Airline of the Year”, British Airways, which retained its crown as Best Transatlantic Airline and also won the Best Business / Executive Class category, an award that had been won for the last five years by Continental Airlines. Continental Airlines, however, did retain its title as Best Airline Based in North America, for a fifth successive year, and also won the new category for Best Airline Finance Deal for its EETC (enhanced equipment trust certificate).
Emirates retained its title as Best Airline Based in the Middle East / Indian Sub-Continent and also won the category for Best Airline between Europe and Asia / Australasia.
Reflecting the global reach of the OAG awards other regional winners on the night for best airline included Qantas (Australasia / Pacific), LAN Airlines (Central/South America and the Caribbean), South African Airways (Africa), Virgin Atlantic (Western Europe), and CSA Czech Airlines (Central/Eastern Europe). Air New Zealand was voted Best Transpacific Airline and American Airlines was recognised for Best Economy / Coach Class.
Lufthansa Cargo won the Best Freighter Operator Award and AWAS was voted Best Airline Lessor.
“We all know how the airline industry is vital for world trade, our economies and our prosperity,” commented Alan Glass, CEO of OAG, during his welcome address, “but we are also cognizant of the significant challenges we face. However we need to put some perspective on all the negative talk. Compared with this time last year, OAG statistics reveal the world’s airlines are operating 40,000 more flights and offering 10.1 million more seats, although some rationalization is anticipated. The aircraft order books are looking pretty healthy, with a 35% increase year on year. This indicates that despite current financial pressures, the industry as a whole is gearing up its investment for long-term sustainability.”
Outstanding Service Award
The recipient of the Outstanding Service Award was the Air Canada Customer Service team based at Heathrow Airport. The team of five people were honoured for their personal generosity and effort in making a real difference to the lives of young children in South Africa.
The annual “OAG Airline Industry Awards”, sponsored by Boeing, celebrate the very best in global air travel and publicly recognises the highest standards within the industry. The complete list of winners and nominees for the 26th OAG Airline Industry Awards follows:
The Winners and Nominees for the 26th OAG Airline Industry Awards
OAG Airline of the Year 2008: Singapore Airlines
American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa
Outstanding Service Award: Air Canada Customer Services, London Heathrow
Presented to Fiona Puglia, John Choules, Wayne Birnie, Shabana Khokhar & Ahjaz Osman
Best Airline Based in Asia: Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways Sponsored by Bird Group
Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas
Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Blue Sponsored by 15Below
Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
Air Canada (Commended), American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines Sponsored by Journal of Commerce
Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean: LAN Airlines
Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, Mexicana, TAM Brazilian Airlines
Best Airline Based in Western Europe: Virgin Atlantic
Air France, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa (commended) Sponsored by Routes
Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines (Commended), MALEV Hungarian Airlines, TAROM Romanian Air Transport Sponsored by Daedalus Marketing Consultants
Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates
Etihad, Gulf Air, Jet Airways (Commended), Qatar Airways Sponsored by Bird Group
Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways
Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair, Kenya Airways, Virgin Nigeria
Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Sponsored by Boeing
Best Transpacific Airline: Air New Zealand
Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines Sponsored by Boeing
Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: Emirates
British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines Sponsored by Boeing
Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: easyJet
jetBlue, Jetstar Airways, Ryanair, Southwest Airlines Sponsored by Bird Group
Best Economy/Coach Class: American Airlines
British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines Sponsored by Travelport
Best Business/Executive Class: British Airways
American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines Sponsored by Travelport
Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Lufthansa Sponsored by Travelport
Best Airport: Singapore Changi
Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, Hong Kong International, New York JFK, San Francisco International Sponsored by Travelplus
Best Freighter Operator: Lufthansa Cargo
Air France KLM Cargo, Amerijet International, Cargolux Airlines, Cathay Pacific Cargo Sponsored by OAG Cargo Solutions
Best Airline Lessor: AWAS
Aviation Capital Group, Babcock & Brown Air Limited, DAE Capital, Engine Lease Finance Corp, Jetscape Award in association with Airline Fleet & Network Management
Best Airline Finance Deal: Continental Airlines EETC (Morgan Stanley/Credit Suisse)
Acquisition of GATX Air (Macquarie) Airspeed securitization (RBS Aerospace), GSI engine sale (Engine Lease Finance Corp), Northwest restructuring (Seabury Group), TAM bond issue. Award in association with Airline Fleet & Network Management
The complete list of nominations for 2008 can be accessed here.