Cathay pacific voted as "Airline of the Year 2006"

Cathay Pacific marked an auspicious start to the Chinese New Year and the airline's 60th anniversary as it was named 'Airline of the Year 2006' by Air Transport World (ATW) magazine, the leading monthly magazine covering the global aviation industry.

US-based ATW said the airline of Hong Kong "is respected and admired among peers for its unwavering commitment to safety, technical excellence and customer service".

ATW's annual industry awards were created in 1974 to recognise excellence and have become one of the most prestigious and valued honours that a company or a person in the airline industry can receive. One airline executive was quoted as saying, "It is like winning a gold medal at the Olympic games!"

"The 'Airline of the Year' award, the most coveted for overall excellence, goes to a major airline which over the years has exhibited outstanding performance. Cathay Pacific has been among the elite of the world's airlines for several decades," says ATW Editorial Director J.A Donoghue.

Cathay Pacific Airways' Chief Executive, Philip Chen noted: "It is a great honour to receive such recognition - but it is only through the support and guidance of our board, the excellence of all who work at Cathay Pacific and the support of our partners and customers that this is possible.

This award means a great deal to us all." "For an airline to win this award it should have provided exemplary service to the public while compiling a model safety record, been innovative in developing new markets and services, been a leader in applying new technology to the airline industry, and consistently been profitable,' said Donoghue.

Philip Chen will be presented with the 'Airline of the Year 2006' award on behalf of Cathay Pacific on 20th February in Singapore.