Bangkok Airways, a regional airline from Thailand was named the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) Asia Pacific Regional 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.
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 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 bylow 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.”
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