Asiana named Airline of the Year

Asiana Airlines (OZ) has won the coveted 2009 Airline of the Year award from Air Transport World (ATW). 

The distinction comes as Asiana celebrates its 21st year in aviation, becoming the first Korean carrier to be distinguished as the world’s best airline in 60 years of Korean aviation history.

ATW, the leading resource for global airline and commercial air transport manufacturing communities, has given the Airline of the Year award annually since 1974. 

The award is given to a major international airline that has exhibited outstanding performance in a number of airline disciplines over a number of years. 

Past winners of the Airline of the Year award from the Asian region include Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, and JAL.

Published by ATW Media Group, the magazine has over 38,600 subscribers around the world.  Each year, it publishes the World Airline Report as part of its July issue, providing detailed fleet, financial and traffic information on more than 350 airlines as well as an overview of the key events and trends of the previous year.

 “Since Asiana Airlines was founded on February 17, 1988, we have continuously upgraded safety and services with the philosophy of ‘Customer satisfaction through superiority in safety and service,’” says Regional Manager Taeyup Kim.  “As a result, Asiana’s service has been recognized as the best in many assessments done by Korean and foreign institutions.”

According to ATW, Asiana was recognized for its commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence as reflected in industry leading dispatch reliability and engine inflight shutdown rates.  Judges noted that Asiana’s dedication to operating at the highest level of safety is matched by its devotion to customer service.  Asiana is one of only a handful of 5-Star Airlines distinguished by Skytrax, and it has made significant investments in inflight services, amenities and cabin attendant training.  Judges also took account of the airline’s financial performance, in which Asiana posted aggregate earnings of $542 million between 2004 and 2007.    

ATW bestows the award on airlines that have provided exemplary service while upholding a model safety record.  They should be innovative in developing new markets and services, be a leader in applying new technology to the airline industry, and be consistently profitable.  

Asiana Airlines President & COO Young-Doo Yoon will accept the award at the ATW Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC this month.

The 2009 Airline of the Year award from ATW follows Asiana Airlines’ recent triumph at the World Airline Awards.  It bagged five distinctions including Best Cabin Staff Worldwide, Best Economy Class, Best Airline North Asia, Best Cabin Staff Asia and Best Cabin Staff North Asia.