AIR NOSTRUM TAKES GOLD AWARD FOR THE FOURTH TIME

19/10/2007

Air Nostrum has been announced as the winner of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) Airline of the Year 2007/8 GOLD Award for the fourth time.

The Spanish airline which has previously won the Award in 1999, 2001 and 2002, was presented with the trophy at the Association’s annual Awards Dinner yesterday evening in Athens by Mr Stéphane Mayer, CEO of Award sponsor ATR.

The Silver Award went to Tyrolean Airways of Austria while the Bronze Award was won by Irish carrier CityJet.

The judges singled out Air Nostrum’s innovative financing arrangement that enabled it to add 10 Bombardier CRJ900s to its fleet within a seven-month period. The satellite navigation trials undertaken as part of the GIANT project also impressed the judges as a project with potentially great operational benefits for the industry.

“Air Nostrum strives for excellence in its operational performance and passenger service through various measures, and is demonstrating true leadership for the advancement of the industry as a whole,” said the judges.

The Award was presented to Air Nostrum CEO, Carlos Bertomeu. The airline carries 5.2m passengers a year on a mixed turboprop and jet fleet of ATR 72, Dash-8, CRJ200 and CRJ900 aircraft.

Silver winner Tyrolean was commended by the judges for its innovative technical and operational achievements as well as for the achievement of a scope clause arrangement with Austrian Airlines, allowing Tyrolean the operation of all aircraft up to 110 seats. CEO Manfred Helldoppler accepted the trophy.

According to the judges, Bronze winner CityJet “has undergone a real revolution within just one year”. A complete fleet rollover and a repositioning of the airline onto London City Airport, sees the carrier firmly placed for future expansion. CEO Geoffrey O’Bryne White received the Award.

The judging panel comprises senior industry experts including past CEOs of European airlines and independent aviation journalists from a variety of European countries. 

ENDS