CityJet wins European regional airline award
CityJet, the Irish airline, has won the prestigious European Regional Airline Association's (ERA) Airline of the Year 2007/8 Bronze Award.
Accepting the award, Chief Executive Geoffrey O'Byrne White, said that it was a great honour for the company to have its achievements recognised by its peers within the industry.
"In a market that is being so dominated by the low-cost leisure sector, we perceive an acute demand from regional business communities for connectivity, frequency and service: these are the classic hallmarks of the regional carrier.
The hard work and commitment of all the team in CityJet, coupled with the global distribution and management autonomy granted to us under the Air France franchise model, has allowed us to develop and expand this unique and efficient service," he said.
The ERA judges, comprising senior industry experts, past CEOs of European airlines and independent aviation journalists, said that CityJet had undergone a real revolution within one year and had successfully added London City Airport as a second hub, decreasing the airline's dependence on one market.
All passengers enjoy the full range of Air France benefits including advanced
e-services, business lounges and membership of the frequent flyer programme.
The timing of the award comes in a year of singular achievement and investment by the company, which has seen a full fleet upgrade of 23 new Avro RJ85 aircraft, the installation of simulator training facilities and the construction of a maintenance hangar at Dublin airport.
Based in Dublin, CityJet employs 618 staff and projects passenger figures in excess of 2 million this year.