Singapore / Recently -- Bangkok Airways was named CAPA Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year. This award is given to the regional airline that has been the biggest standout strategically, established itself as a leader and demonstrated innovation in the regional aviation sector.
Bangkok Airways President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth received the award from Travelport Vice President Asia Pacific, Air Commerce, Damian Hickey.
Bangkok Airways was selected by the judging panel for its impressive track record of profitability even during challenging times and innovative partnership strategy.
“Bangkok Airways was the most profitable airline in Thailand in 2014, growing and remaining in the black despite the civil unrest in Bangkok,” Mr. Harbison said. “It completed an IPO in Nov-2014, becoming one of only a few Thai companies to go public in the most difficult of years.”
Bangkok Airways has remained profitable through the first three quarters of 2015. The airline has differentiated itself strategically, continuing to grow, boosted by an expanded partnership portfolio.
CAPA noted that Bangkok Airways’ partnership strategy, which focuses on providing domestic and regional international connections with over 15 foreign carriers, has enabled the airline to grow rapidly in recent years in a short haul market that has become otherwise dominated by low cost carriers. Its strategy of owning and operating three airports, including in the popular resort island of Samui, also provides a unique selling point and helps insulate it from competition.
Over the last year Bangkok Airways became the largest foreign airline in Myanmar, reinforcing its strong position in the relatively under-served Indochina region. Bangkok Airways is also the second largest foreign carrier in Cambodia and Laos, enabling its partners to access key fast growing secondary markets.
“Bangkok Airways has proven there is still a niche for full service carriers in Southeast Asia’s short haul market – even independent regional operators that are not part of major airline groups,” Mr. Harbison said. “Bangkok Airways has gone against the grain and thrived in an intensely competitive marketplace.”
About CAPA and the CAPA Awards for Excellence
Established in 1990, CAPA – Centre for Aviation is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services, covering worldwide developments.
The CAPA Awards for Excellence are not driven by customer surveys, popular votes or sponsorship. They are independently researched by CAPA’s leading team of analysts, then selected by an independent international panel of advisors.
CAPA's Aviation Awards for Excellence are intended to reward airlines and airports that are not only successful but have also provided industry leadership in adjusting to a new environment. At a time of industry upheaval, our winners are adopting strategies that offer new directions for others to adopt.
About Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways (www.bangkokair.com), with the ASIA’S BOUTIQUE AIRLINE slogan, is the first private airline established in Thailand since 1968. Taking off daily with about a hundred flights per day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Airways flies travelers from around the world to more than twenty exquisite destinations across Thailand and Asia. To name a few; Samui, Phuket, Trat (Koh Chang), Maldives are amongst the hottest beach selections; whilst Sukhothai, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap (Angkor), are of the world heritage personalities, each of which possesses her unique flair.
Bangkok Airways is the only airline in Asia that has won the Skytrax’ Best Regional Airline for six consecutive years since 2004. As a member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Bangkok Airways continues to provide comfort at an uncompromised safety standard to all passengers towards the region’s tourism sustainability.
Currently, Bangkok Airways has a total of 30 aircrafts; 11 turbo-prop ATR72-500/600s, 19 Airbus A319s/A320s.
