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For immediate release: 3 February 2003
OAG, the world’s leading source of flight schedule information, today announced the shortlist for its 21st annual Airline of the Year Awards.
A total of 52 airlines and airports have received nominations in 19 regional and global categories ranging from Best Low Cost Carrier to Best International First Class. Leading the field is Continental Airlines with nine nominations, with British Airways hot on its heels with eight and Air Canada and Singapore Airlines with seven nominations each. American Airlines joins these four on the shortlist for the prestigious title of ‘Airline of the Year 2003’.
The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Thursday 10 April at the Park Lane Hilton, London. The event will celebrate the very best in global air travel and publicly recognise the highest standards within the industry.
Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG said: “Although airlines continue to operate in the most difficult circumstances OAG is delighted to take this opportunity once a year to take stock and celebrate their achievements.”
Despite a turbulent year for the US carrier, United Airlines makes the shortlist for no fewer than four awards including Best International First Class and Best Trans-Atlantic Airline. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are both once again in the running for Best Airline based in Western Europe.
UK budget airlines easyJet and Go vie for superiority with Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin Blue in the competitive Low-Cost Carrier category.
Singapore Changi faces strong competition in the ‘Best Airport’ category, a title it has held for the past seven years, with Hong Kong International and Dubai International among the contenders.
The full shortlist is available here.
For further information please contact:
Fiona Chow/Clair Waldron Brown Lloyd James
T: 020 7591 9610 / M: 07866 447732
Notes to Editors: The awards are based on votes polled from a worldwide audience of business travellers who subscribe to OAG printed flight guides and electronic travel planning tools and support services. Results are collected and independently verified by market information company, Taylor Nelson Sofres |
