Air Nostrum has won the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) Airline of the Year 2011/12 GOLD Award for the fifth time in its history, following up its successes in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2007 at this year's awards. Carlos Bertomeu, President and Chief Esecutive Officer, Air Nostrum, was presented with the trophy by Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of Award sponsor ATR at the ERA annual Awards Dinner Thursday evening at the Marriott Park Hotel in Rome, Italy. The SILVER Award went to Norwegian carrier Widerøe, while first-time winner SATA Air Açores took BRONZE.
The judges were impressed with the manner in which Air Nostrum resolutely continued its aircraft restructuring plans in spite of the economic situation in its home market and increased competition from high speed rail and low-fare airlines. Its impressive financial history enabled it to finance the aircraft transition, and the replacement of small aircraft with larger capacity aircraft has resulted in a dramatic reduction of unit costs. In addition to this, the judges felt Air Nostrum deserved high praise for its ability to retain a positive working relationship with its employees throughout the fleet restructuring process, enabling the carrier to successfully return to sustained profitability.
Silver winner Widerøe was commended for cutting 4,000 tons of CO2 in the last year by reducing cruise speed whenever possible and using a new satellite-based approach system. The satellite-based approach system for STOL airports has also contributed to the airline’s excellent punctuality record under very difficult operational conditions and will also improve safety and emissions. Its reliability record was crucial in the decision of the airline’s mother company to hand over its Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 operation to Widerøe.
Bronze winner SATA Air Açores, founded in 1941, is receiving an ERA Award for the first time. The judges’ attention was caught by this carrier’s role as the unique people mover in its home market of the Azorean archipelago. The airline’s complete fleet renewal, with limited own resources, has dramatically improved on-time performance. It has also increased fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, thereby facilitating and strengthening its role in providing public services that are vital for the islands’ territorial and social cohesion.
The ERA Airline of the Year is judged by an independent panel comprising senior statesmen of the industry and respected representatives of aviation media from a variety of European countries.
In the Airport market, Nantes Atlantique Airport was announced as the winner of the ERA Airport Achievement Award 2011/12 and François Marie, Managing Director was presented with the trophy by Eraldo Baluci, Vice President South Europe Region, from Award sponsor, SITA, at the same Rome event.
First-time winner Nantes Atlantique Airport, located in the Loire-Atlantique area in the North-West of France, impressed the judges by its strict cost control measures, its strong emphasis on increasing non-aviation revenues and its innovative techniques to improve service quality and operational efficiency. Its business strategy of developing initiatives to raise non-aviation revenue has enabled the airport to increase its competitiveness. It has been able to assist regional airlines by offering low airport charges over extended periods, thereby helping its airline customers during difficult economic times.
The judges were also struck by the innovative initiatives employed by the airport to make it more attractive to airlines and passengers alike, in particular, the “live my life” initiative. Its objective to get all staff to work as one team was considered by the judges to be a unique means of developing a deeper understanding among the individual stakeholders, leading to a smoother operation for the benefit of the passenger. Nantes Atlantique Airport is France’s 6th largest regional airport and handled 3,082,000 passengers in 2010. It offers 110 direct routes on 15+ scheduled airlines and 70+ tour operators.
The ERA Airport Achievement Award aims to recognise an airport achievement which has had a positive impact on intra-European air transport operations, and to promote the importance of airline-airport partnerships. It is judged by a panel of distinguished industry experts from throughout Europe.
(Images kindly provided by Eryl Crump)
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