MAS bags CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year 2006 Award

[Naim 6]

Well done, MAS!

 

+++

 

9/11/06

 

MAS bags CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year 2006 Award

By Gan Yen Kuan

 

Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com

 

Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) has been awarded the CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year 2006 Award by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) on Nov 9.

 

In a statement on Nov 9, MAS said the award was given to the airline in the region whose affairs were most significantly transformed for the better during the year.

 

MAS managing director and chief executive officer Idris Jala received the award from CAPA Consulting CEO Andrew Miller, who was representing CAPA executive director Peter Harbison at the CAPA Aviation Awards of Excellence 2006 gala dinner held in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Asia-Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006 in Singapore.

 

Under the CAPA Aviation Awards of Excellence judging process, airports and airlines in the Asia-Pacific were constantly reviewed throughout the year via CAPA's extensive data and information gathering and reporting. Recommendations were then reviewed by a highly experienced aviation advisory panel.

 

MAS managing director and chief executive officer Idris Jala receiving the award from CAPA Consulting CEO Andrew Miller

 

At the award-presentation ceremony, Harbison said: "Malaysia Airlines has launched an aggressive turnaround programme and the early positive signs could mean it achieves its ultimate goal of returning to profitability well in advance of its 2008 target."

 

Idris said: "This is a memorable occasion for Malaysia Airlines as the recognition comes at a time when we are definitely on-course, and probably tracking slightly ahead of our Business Turnaround Plan target to return to profitability.

 

"Our commendable efforts have been largely due to the support we received from the Malaysian government, our staff and our business partners."

 

For the first six months of 2006, MAS' passenger revenue and yield improved by 5% and 17%, respectively, while cargo revenue and yield increased by 6% and 11%, respectively.

 

The national air carrier reduced its operating costs by RM338 million, resulting in a narrowed net loss of RM498 million, which was lower than the projected RM610 million.

 

It said it had surpassed its first and second quarter financial targets and was on track to be ahead of both its third and fourth quarter targets.

 

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.js...0b6400-78bbd5c3

[Andrew Yong 0]

Since the New CEO joint MH, MH since some positive sightning even in Management, promotion and Grobal Awards!!!

[Tony 1]

Well done, now let us see MORE improvement!

[Sandeep G 1]

Indeed a very befitting award for the success so far.. let's hope this continues!

[Sandeep G 1]

Here is a rundown of all the awards presented by CAPA at last nights gala dinner at the 3rd Annual Asia Pcific Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit, held in Singapore:

 

Air China-Cathay Pacific jointly named CAPA Airline of the Year

 

(Singapore: 09 September 2006) Air China and Cathay Pacific were named joint winners of the prestigious CAPA Airline of the Year Award for 2006 at a gala reception in Singapore this evening.

 

Air China Chairman, Li Jiaxiang, and CEO of Cathay Pacific, Philip Chen, received the award before 300 distinguished members of the aviation community.

 

Executive Chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Peter Harbison, explained that the Air China-Cathay Pacific breakthrough agreement announced mid-year has significant competitive ramifications throughout Asia and beyond, and, furthermore, has the potential to influence policy settings that could unleash further industry liberalisation and growth.

 

“It creates the foundations for what could be the world’s leading airline by 2015. This breathtaking agreement has seen a realignment and simplification of ownership structures that promises to unlock significant gains in efficiency, productivity and network strength,” said Mr Harbison.

 

 

 

Singapore Changi Airport named CAPA International Airport of the Year.

 

According to Mr Harbison, “Changi has continued to cooperate with the airline industry to grow markets, while innovating to increase revenues, with a major overhaul of commercial areas in one of its terminals. It is bringing vision and integrity to the exercise of developing capacity for future growth, as evidenced by its being one of the first airports in the region to offer dedicated facilities for the LCC sector”.

 

Tiger Airways CEO, Tony Davis, accepted the CAPA Low Cost Airline of the Year.

 

“Tiger has demonstrated leadership through strong brand positioning and the prudent expansion and development of its network into new markets. The carrier has carved out a place for itself in an extremely competitive market, while posting some of the industry’s best cost performance figures,” said Mr Harbison.

 

YB Dato' Sri Chan Kong Choy, Minister of Transport Malaysia, recognised as the CAPA Aviation Minister of the Year.

 

This year’s winner has presided over one of Asia’s most significant domestic aviation policy reforms, successfully balancing the interests of the Malaysian aviation sector’s different stakeholders. “He has encouraged the development of infrastructure development for the LCC segment and has contributed to liberalisation of access at the national level. The Malaysian Government has also been involved in the harmonisation of aviation policies with other countries in the region, providing significantly enhanced airline operating conditions,” said Mr Harbison.

 

Geoff Dixon, CEO of Qantas, accepted the CAPA Aviation Executive of the Year.

 

Peter Harbison stated: “Our Executive of the Year has established a corporate vision centred around the positioning of clearly segmented global airline brands, a vision that has enabled strong financial performance in a difficult time. In his five-year tenure as CEO – recently extended on an ongoing basis – our Executive has faced one of the most challenging periods in aviation history, and innovated with successful LCC subsidiary development, soon to pioneer long-haul low cost operations.

 

Malaysia Airlines CEO, Idris Jala, accepted the CAPA Airline Turnaround of the Year.

 

Malaysia Airlines has launched an aggressive turnaround programme, based on a significant rationalisation of its domestic network, focussing on its international network and streamlining of staff numbers and functions. Some early positive signs could mean it achieves its ultimate goal of returning to profitability in advance of its 2008 target”, said Mr Harbsion.

 

Dato’ Seri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, operator of Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal, accepted the CAPA Low Cost Airport of the Year.

 

Peter Harbison stated: “Our winner established its dedicated LCC facilities at a cost of USD29 million in record time, providing a terminal well suited to the needs of its anchor tenant, offering lower charges, quick turnarounds, a location close to the runway and capacity for 10 million passengers per annum.”

 

Cathay Pacific CEO, Philip Chen, accepted the CAPA Cargo Airline of the Year.

 

“Cathay was adjudged as having had the greatest impact on the development of the region’s air cargo industry. Recognising the opportunities presented by its home market, Cathay has in the past 12 months used major investments in aircraft and infrastructure to undertake its strategic push into freight,” said Peter Harbison.

 

Bangkok Airways was named CAPA Regional Airline of the Year.

 

“Bangkok Airways has established itself as a leader – and the benchmark for others to follow – in successfully establishing and defending a niche in an ultra-competitive marketplace. Since its 1984 launch of scheduled services, it has created innovative revenue streams, most notably including the construction and operation of its own airports and accompanying ground-handling unit,” said Mr Harbison.

 

Singapore Tourism Board was named CAPA National Tourism Organisation of the Year.

 

“Our winner’s visionary support of the aviation sector in building awareness and visitation has contributed to double-digit growth in inbound arrivals and tourism receipts to Singapore this year,” said Mr Harbison.

 

Polynesian Blue was named CAPA New Airline of the Year.

 

“Polynesian Blue has made an immediate impact on the tourism markets its serves, triggering double-digit demand growth. Strategically, it is another example of a pioneering new airline model with important ramifications for our region: the cross-border joint venture,” stated Peter Harbison.

 

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport was named CAPA New Airport Company of the Year.

 

The CAPA New Airport of the Year category recognises the New Airport or Terminal, Operator or Investor that has had the most significant impact on the market into which it has entered, and to the development of aviation in the region.

 

In recognising the inaugural winner, Peter Harbison explained: “After a massive overnight logistics exercise, involving the transfer of some 1.8 million pieces of equipment, the airport opened in late September 2006 with an initial capacity of 45 million passengers. Impressive operating statistics have been reported almost from Day 1 at this airport, which promises to raise the competitive stakes among Asia’s leading hub airports.”

 

[Andrew Ong 1]

Hope that MAS will be successful in their turnaround plan .

[Kee Hooi Yen 0]

Congratulations to MAS new management !

[Sanjay Thaker 0]

Well done MH...certainly moving to greener pastures now..

[Pieter C. 5]

More CAPA news, however, this time Air Asia's:

 

AirAsia challenged the Singapore government to open its skies and "allow everyone to fly." CEO Tony Fernandes, delivering a keynote address at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation's Outlook 2007 summit in Singapore, said the LCC's fares around ASEAN countries are "90% less than the typical fare from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur." He told delegates that AirAsia has tried for five years to gain access to Singapore but the government has declined. "Our airfare from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru [across the strait from Singapore] is just MYR60 ($16.35) compared to the airfare from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur of MYR713. We are even cheaper than the bus or train."

 

Those cheap fares will mean more orders for the A320, which is an "outstanding aircraft" and "way above our expectations," Fernandes said. He told ATWOnline that the airline will be accelerating deliveries and ordering more aircraft. AirAsia has 100 A320s on order or in service with 30 options. Despite the A320 introduction costs and high fuel prices over the past two years, he said the airline's unit cost is just 2.33 cents with fuel and 1.32 cents without, adding, "We expect our ASK cost to drop below 2 cents including fuel next year."

 

Well done, AK (as opposed to Naim's 'well done MH' )

[Surej S. 0]

Very well done indeed AK..by the way I was just wondering..how come the government is rejecting AK's applications or whatever it is called into Singapore..

[Sandeep G 1]

Very well done indeed AK..by the way I was just wondering..how come the government is rejecting AK's applications or whatever it is called into Singapore..

 

we have a restricted air-services agreement between Singapore. Tony Fernandes is pushing for open skies to be brought forward from the present end-2008 date. If so, you'll see the likes of AirAsia and Tiger Airways plying the route. OK for SIA (Tiger Airways is their subsidary & they make more money off transit pax through SIN from KUL than actual KUL-SIN traffic ---Thanks for that bit of info Keith T---) but not good news for MAS, and hence the latters protest at the possibility of early liberalisation of ASEAN skies.

[Surej S. 0]

we have a restricted air-services agreement between Singapore. Tony Fernandes is pushing for open skies to be brought forward from the present end-2008 date. If so, you'll see the likes of AirAsia and Tiger Airways plying the route. OK for SIA (Tiger Airways is their subsidary & they make more money off transit pax through SIN from KUL than actual KUL-SIN traffic ---Thanks for that bit of info Keith T---) but not good news for MAS, and hence the latters protest at the possibility of early liberalisation of ASEAN skies.

 

thanks for the explanation..