AEGEAN AIRLINES AND FRITZ FEITL RECEIVE HONOURS

19/10/07

Aegean Airlines became the third airline to receive the ERA Palme d’Or Honour for sustained excellence last night at the era2007 Awards Dinner in Athens, Greece.

Mr Theodoros Vassilakis, President of Aegean Airlines was presented with the trophy by Mike Ambrose, director general of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA).

Introduced in 2004, the Palme d’Or is a special distinction designed to recognise sustained excellence over a number of years for ERA airlines and airports. It is separate from the annual Awards Programme, but consideration for eligibility is open only to airlines and airports which have previously entered the Awards. The Palme d’Or can be granted only once and is thus retained in perpetuity by the recipient. Air Nostrum of Spain, Aer Arann of Ireland and London City Airport are the only other holders of the ERA Palme d’Or.

Commenting on their success, Mike Ambrose said: “In four of the last seven years, Aegean Airlines has won an ERA Award. Such continuous outstanding performance fully justifies the distinction conveyed by its Palme d’Or”.

Aegean Airlines enjoys a leading domestic position in Greece with a growing presence in international scheduled routes to destinations in European and neighbouring countries. Aegean Airlines is also a Regional Partner of Lufthansa providing access for its passengers to Lufthansa’s global network. In 2006, Aegean Airlines achieved a turnover of €401 million with pre-tax profits of €34.4 million and carried 4.45m passengers.

Fritz Feitl, senior industry consultant and recent Chair of the Industry Consultation Body which advises the European Commission on the Single European Sky project, was presented with the Director General’s Commendation for Services to the Industry, and in particular for his outstanding work related to the delivery of the Single European Sky. In presenting the Award, Mike Ambrose commented: “Fritz’s skill and experience, backed by his wide knowledge of the industry made him the ideal person to Chair the European Commission’s Industry Consultation Board for the Single European Sky. His business acumen and his appreciation of the sometimes conflicting concerns of individual stakeholder groups has enabled him to build consensus on key issues affecting the future provision of vital infrastructure.”

ENDS