Emirates scoop CAPA Airline of the Year Award

Emirates Airlines was named the winner of the prestigious Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Airline of the Year Award for 2010 at a gala reception in Singapore yesterday evening.

The Awards Ceremony was held as part of this year’s seventh annual Aviation Outlook Asia Summit, showcasing airline and airport CEOs from around the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.

The CAPA Airline of the Year is awarded to the airline that has had the greatest impact on the development of the airline industry in the region, establishing itself as a leader, and the benchmark for others to follow. It is the second time Emirates has won CAPA’s coveted top award having previously won in 2005.

“Emirates’ achievements in the past year have been extraordinary. As one of the most profitable and fastest growing airlines in the world, the airline reported a billion dollar profit in 2009, one of the worst years in airline history. Emirates’ influence on competitor airline strategy continues to increase, as it aggressively enters new markets and expands others and demonstrates leadership in high quality passenger service. Emirates’ development has contributed to Dubai’s surge through the rankings of the world’s biggest international hubs, from 26th place in 2001 handling 12.4 million international passengers to 6th place last year with 40.1 million.

The CAPA Airline of the Year for 2010 is certain to have a lasting and irreversible impact on the evolution of the worldwide aviation and tourism industries”, said Peter Harbison, executive chairman of CAPA.