IATA’s charismatic director general Giovanni Bisignani was on hand last night to receive the prestigious Airline Business Award at the magazine’s annual Airline Strategy Awards.
“I thank Airline Business for recognizing changes in which I have been fortunate to play a role,” said Bisignani. “IATA’s biggest satisfaction is helping our members meet targets to improve safety with IOSA or efficiency by Simplifying the Business. With partners and governments, we must shout politely with figures and facts for critical changes-commercial freedom, regulation of monopolies and common-sense environmental policies.”
Airline Business editor Mark Pilling says: “Giovanni has become one of the industry’s most instantly recognisable personalities. He has become a true leader in air transport and an airline talisman that even those on the ¬receiving end of one of his famous tirades genuinely respect.”
Airline Business magazine, in partnership with executive search firm Spencer Stuart, revealed the winners of the seventh annual Airline Strategy Awards at a glittering gala dinner last night at historic Lincoln’s Inn in London.
The other top honour at the Awards went to Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman of the Lufthansa Group, who received the Executive Leadership award. The full list of winners in the seven categories, plus the Airline Business Award, were:
• Executive Leadership – Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman, Lufthansa Group
• Low Cost Leadership – Alan Joyce, Chief Executive, Jetstar
• Regional Leadership – Jim French, Chief Executive, Flybe
• Finance – AirAsia
• Marketing – Etihad Airways
• Operations – Singapore Airlines
• Technology – Scandinavian Airlines
• The Airline Business Award – Giovanni Bisignani, Director General, IATA
Wolfgang Mayrhuber, Chairman was praised by the Awards judges for building a strong aviation brand making Lufthansa one of the industry’s most profitable carrier groups. “Mayrhuber has shown really thoughtful strategic leadership for a long time,” said one of the judges. A humble Mayrhuber replied: “Thank you, I am very proud on behalf of my employees and take this award with great pride.”
Mark Pilling says: “The 2008 Airline Strategy Awards have once again recognised the best this industry has to offer in management and leadership talent. Now in their seventh year, the Awards have quickly become a highly sought-after and respected badge of honour among the industry elite. When it comes to recognising boardroom excellence, the Airline Strategy Awards are the benchmark.”
For the full citations on each of the awards visit www.strategyawards2008.com
Source: Flight International
