Swiss International Air Lines has won the prestigious Skytrax 2009 World Airline Award as ‘Best Airline: Europe’ for its short- and long-haul flights. The distinction stems from the latest survey of millions of air travellers conducted by Skytrax, the reputed UK-based consultants. The award was presented to SWISS in Hamburg.
More than 15.4 million air travellers from 95 countries took part in the latest survey by UK consultants Skytrax. The poll extended to over 160 airlines all over the world, and named SWISS as ‘Best Airline: Europe’.
“We’re delighted at this distinction, especially as it’s a verdict that comes directly from the traveller,” said Markus Binkert, SWISS’s Head of Product & Services, accepting the award in Hamburg on behalf of the company and its personnel. “It’s also clear confirmation that our quality drive on the ground and in the air is appreciated by our customers.”
“With this new recognition, we are confident that our travellers from the Middle East will be assured of great comfort and hospitality while on board our flights and find more reason to fly with us to Zurich and beyond,” said Martin Massüger, Director, Head of Sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan & Iran for SWISS.
SWISS’s ongoing investments in its products and services will reach a further high point on 20 April, when the first of the company’s new Airbus A330-300s enters revenue service. The new long-hauler offers a truly top-calibre product in First, Business and Economy Class.
For 2008, Swiss International Air Lines (Group) generated total income from operating activities of CHF 5,267 million (US$4,658 mn), an increase of 7.6% from CHF 4,895 (US$4,330 mn) million in 2007. Despite the revenue growth, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined 6.5% from CHF 542 million (US$479 mn) in 2007 to CHF 507 million (US$448 mn) in 2008 in the face of record fuel prices for the first nine months of 2008 and unfavourable currency movements.
“All in all, 2008 was a good year for SWISS: our company is profitable, achieved growth that was well above the market average and was able to continue the success of the last few years,” said SWISS CEO Christoph Franz.
SWISS carried a record 13.5 million passengers in 2008, compared to 12.2 million the previous year. Seatkilometre capacity was increased by 12.0%. For the year as a whole, all the extra production was absorbed by market demand: systemwide seat load factor stood at 80.3%, virtually unchanged from the 80.2% of 2007 and well above the industry average.
SWISS operates non-stop daily flights from Dubai to Zurich, daily flights from Muscat, Oman, five weekly flights from Cairo and four weekly flights from Riyadh and Jeddah. Overall, SWISS offers a comprehensive network of 90 destinations in 42 countries.
SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines Ltd), Switzerland’s flag carrier prides itself on Swiss values such as quality, reliability, friendliness, safety, efficiency and exceptional service –an exemplary ‘Swissness’. With excellent services offered, Swiss is your home in the sky.
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