2011 Schiphol Aviation Awards:

This afternoon Ad Rutten, Executive Vice President & COO of Schiphol Group, announced the six winners of the 2011 Schiphol Aviation Awards. Each year, Schiphol presents it aviation awards to clients and business partners who have distinguished themselves from other companies at the airport in terms of their innovative business management or positive performance.

Airline of the Year Award Europe

Vueling achieved an impressive growth of 38 percent over the past year, while significantly improving its punctuality. The airline also conducted intensive marketing campaigns in order to raise its profile amongst potential Dutch and Spanish travellers. In recognition of its successful efforts, Vueling was presented with the ‘Airline of the Year Award Europe ‘.

Airline of the Year Award North & South America

The winner in this category was able to launch new routes thanks to a highly intensive and effective marketing campaign: KLM. Amongst other new destinations, the airline began operating flights to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana.

Airline of the Year Award Asia

China Southern Airlines introduced direct flights to Guangzhou, increased the frequency of its flights to China and received the ‘Airline of the Year Award Asia’ in recognition of its efforts. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol also lauded Schiphol China Southern Airlines for its deployment of the latest Airbus 330-200 and its intensive promotional campaigns in the Netherlands.

Airline of the Year Award Africa & Middle East

Corendon Dutch Airlines is a new Dutch airline that operated its first flight to Dalaman on 30 April 2011. Operating as part of the Corendon Group, Corendon Dutch Airlines transported passengers to various destinations around the Mediterranean Sea. In recognition of its remarkable achievement, the airline was presented with the ‘Airline of the Year Award Africa & Middle East’.

Passenger Ground Handling Award

This year’s ‘Passenger Ground Handling Award’ was presented to Servisair, which was awarded the distinction thanks to its excellent performance in the area of operational handling, its customer-friendly attitude and effective cooperation in day-to-day operations.

Cargo Award

AirBridgeCargo Airlines showed solid growth over the past year, and made considerable investments in fleet renewal. This policy was continued over recent months, with the introduction of the Boeing 747-8. The past year also saw AirBridge launch new routes to Russia and the United States. AirBridgeCargo received the Cargo Award in recognition of its exceptional performance.

The Schiphol Aviation Awards are awarded in various categories based on geographical segmentation, with an emphasis on the quality and diversity of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s global network of airlines and destinations. Category winners are selected based on the following criteria: punctuality, growth, innovation and marketing effort.