Cathay Pacific Airways has made a virtual clean sweep of this year’s World Airline Awards after they were named Airline of The Year, Best Airline Asia and Best First Class in the world’s “largest” global passenger poll.
London-based Skytrax says its 2005 World Airline Awards poll was the world's “largest” passenger survey ever with more than 12.3 million eligible nominations.
“Airline of the Year is the established, global barometer of passenger opinions about airlines around the world,” Skytrax says. “Airline of the Year is not focussed on one specific sector of the passenger market. It encompasses a wide mixture of passenger types – business customers who may be more familiar with First and Business Class and, most importantly, the large majority of global air travellers who travel Economy class, be it on leisure or business travel.”
Cathay Pacific’s The Wing and The Pier in Hong Kong International Airport were earlier named 2005 Best Airline Lounges for First and Business Class travellers in the Skytrax survey. Skytrax said its lounge survey was based on the combined quality of product and service and “seeks out those airlines that offer something original and, above all, the best format”.
Cathay Pacific Airways regional manager Middle East, India and Africa, Adrian Gane, said “Cathay Pacific being voted Airline of The Year is a great honour because it is such a world-class award. Being a repeat winner reflects our commitment to deliver consistently high standards of service across the board.”
He added: “Cathay Pacific operates a total of 25 weekly flights between Bahrain, Dubai and Riyadh to Hong Kong and its lounge at Bahrain International Airport is designed on the model of its flagship lounges, the Wing and Pier.”