Sky Choice Travel Awards celebrate industrial excellence

The highly anticipated Sky Choice Travel Awards 2023 were released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China Inflight Magazine in Beijing on Jan 5, covering the aviation, hotel and travel sectors. For 40 years, CAAC Inflight Magazine has been an observer of the era of aviation travel and an authoritative publisher of real-time industry trends.

The judging panel consisted of industry experts, media elites and experienced frequent travelers from various fields. The evaluation process combined professional assessment, third-party platform data and editorial reviews, ultimately selecting 120 award-winning brands. The three major lists included a total of 29 awards, with 521 entries received.

Liu Jichun, vice-president of the marketing department at Hainan Airlines, expressed his honor at receiving the Innovation in Product of Service Airline of the Year award. As the only Skytrax five-star airline on the Chinese mainland, Hainan Airlines closely follows industry trends, strengthens safety management, improves service quality and expands route recovery. With safe, efficient and high-quality aviation services, the airline has earned market praise and favor.

Chan Cheong Eu, Qatar Airways' senior manager for sales, North Asia, stated his great joy at being included in the list as the Comfortable Cabin Experience Airline of the Year. This not only represents high recognition for Qatar Airways, but also acknowledges the efforts of their staff members over the past year.

"Qatar Airways has always considered providing passengers with an excellent flight experience as its key mission. The innovative Qsuite, as our exclusive patent, allows easy switching between private space and social areas, complemented by a variety of world-renowned brands of onboard amenities, including Diptyque toiletry kits and home brand The White Company, creating a luxurious and thoughtful airborne journey for passengers," he said.

Furthermore, environmental conservation has been a top priority for Qatar Airways, he added. Boasting a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, the airline has introduced a voluntary carbon offset program for passengers since 2022.

Additionally, its fuel optimization measures in the cabin include reducing the carrying capacity of drinking water, eliminating onboard duty-free products and providing electronic versions of onboard magazines.

Emirates Airline, a leading carrier in the United Arab Emirates, won two major Sky Choice Travel Awards: Comfortable Cabin Experience Airline of the Year and Cargo Airline of the Year.

Adam Li, vice-president at Emirates Airline's China region, said: "As a part of the civil aviation industry, we have always adhered to our core business, continually creating convenient connections for passenger travel and cargo transportation and providing a broader range of flight options.

"The steadily rising market demand, continuously innovating in-flight products and services, and a more extensive route network and connectivity will inject more vitality into this year. With the continuous satisfaction of ever-changing market needs, we look forward to achieving greater success in 2024," he added.

Carol Sun, Cathay Pacific's regional general manager for the Chinese mainland, said: "We are honored to be listed on the Sky Choice Travel Awards for the third time. As a part of the civil aviation industry, Cathay Pacific has benefited from the steady recovery of the entire civil aviation sector."

"In 2023, we made full efforts to rebuild our route network, forging closer connections between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and destinations worldwide. We strengthened the construction of our aviation talent team, initiated a recruitment plan for professionals, including flight attendants, pilots, IT personnel and more. This initiative also contributes to solidifying Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub."

Singapore Airlines has been honored with the Comfortable Cabin Experience Airline of the Year. "This recognition not only affirms our past efforts, but also sets expectations for Singapore Airlines to continually elevate its service standards in the future," said Melvin Ng, general manager of Singapore Airlines' China region.