Maurice Flanagan, The Emirates Group, Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award At a glittering ceremony at The Park Lane Hotel, London, Continental Airlines was last night (Thursday 19 May) named OAG Airline of the Year for the second year running. Continental also won the 2005 Best Executive/Business Class category; was voted Best Airline based in North America, and was short listed in two other categories. Last year Continental became the first US based carrier to win the title since the awards were established 23 years ago. The awards, based on votes polled by a worldwide audience of business travellers, attracted an array of senior figures from the aviation industry. Television personality, Eamonn Holmes, presented the awards. British Airways took home two prestigious awards: Best Airline Based in Western Europe and Best Transatlantic Airline. Singapore Airlines won three awards including Best International First Class; Australian based Virgin Blue fought off stiff competition to hold onto the Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline title for a second year; and United Airlines topped a very strong shortlist to win Best Transpacific Airline. Amsterdam Schiphol was voted best airport in Europe and New York JFK the best in the Americas, but both lost out to Singapore Changi for the Best Airport global title. OAG presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Maurice Flanagan CBE, Vice Chairman and Group President of the Emirates Group. Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG, praised Maurice Flanagan’s remarkable industry career spanning more than 50 years, saying: 'He is an inspiration to many in the airline industry. We are pleased to present him with this well deserved Lifetime Achievement Award' For the first time, the Outstanding Service Award went to an airline president, Mr Jaroslav Tvrdik of CSA Czech Airlines. This award is presented to an individual at an airline or airport who has acted above and beyond the call of duty. After the atrocities of the terrorist attack in Beslan, Russia, Mr Tvrdik personally led a team of CSA staff in implementing a programme to fly a group of traumatised children to a rehabilitation spa in Karlovy Vary. On receiving the award, Mr Tvrdik paid tribute to his staff:
'The Award is very highly valued, and I feel it as more than just personal privilege. I am accepting the Award primarily as a token of appreciation addressed to all Czech Airlines' personnel who, being fully aware of the company's wider social responsibility willingly offered their help.' Eddie Bell, Chairman of OAG commenting on the OAG Awards, said:
'Congratulations to Continental Airlines on winning the OAG Airline of the Year Awards for the second year running, and to the winners in all categories who have been recognised by OAG customers for delivering excellent service for their passengers.' The OAG Airline of the Year Awards 2005 are in association with TravelPlus and sponsored by Le Royal Hotels. For the results in full please go to the Airline of the Year section of OAG.com
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