Flybe only UK airline in 2008 global Airline Strategy Awards

Flybe, the only UK airline to feature in this year’s global Airline Strategy Awards, have announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jim French has received the prestigious 2008 Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership.

The Airline Strategy Awards, now in its seventh year and presented by the globally-renowned Airline Business magazine, recognise ‘the best the aviation industry has to offer in management and leadership talent’. Winners are judged by a highly qualified panel of judges comprising industry experts and leading academics. The Regional Leadership Award given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in leading a regional carrier. The category highlights global airlines flying within clear geographic boundaries. A key criterion is successfully exploiting regional markets with high operational integrity, the ability to produce good growth rates and keep a tight grip on costs.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr French said: “I’m truly humbled to have been awarded this honour and especially to be listed alongside such an impressive list of previous winners. I’m especially proud that Flybe is the only UK airline to have received such an accolade in this year’s Awards and whilst my name might be on the one that has been recognised, I accept it on behalf of all the entire Flybe team.

“In 2002, we took the decision to move from being a ‘legacy’ regional carrier and have, within the intervening years, transformed into Europe’s first largest and most successful regional low cost operator. Flybe is in a stronger position than ever before: with our acquisition of BA Connect in 2007, the spearheading of an industry eco-labelling scheme and our groundbreaking franchise deal with Loganair earlier this year, Flybe continues to innovate and expand.”

Commenting on the Awards, Mark Pilling, editor of Airline Business, said: “The 2008 Airline Strategy Awards have once again recognised the best this industry has to offer in management and leadership talent. When it comes to recognising boardroom excellence, the Airline Strategy Awards are the benchmark.”

Added Mr French: “Surviving, let alone prospering, in the fiercely competitive UK market is no mean feat. 2008 has been a tough year for the aviation industry but we made a number of strategic decisions last year that has put us in a much stronger position than the majority of our rivals. Furthermore, we have invested some $3bn into creating one of the youngest and most environmentally sensitive fleets in the world, meaning that Flybe is in better shape than ever before.”