Cathay Pacific Airways was presented the "Airline of the Year 2006" award from Airport Transport World (ATW) magazine at a gala presentation in Singapore last night. Accepting the award on behalf of everyone at Cathay Pacific, Chief Executive Philip Chen said that the award "is a great honour for Cathay Pacific."

Mr Chen attributed the recognition to the guidance and leadership of the board, the excellence of all who work for the airline and the support of our partners and customers.

Mr Chen also dedicated the award to the people of Hong Kong, "As the home carrier of Hong Kong, we owe much to their enterprising spirit, vitality, talent, and to their determination, which has always been part of our corporate culture - striving always to do better."

Cathay Pacific is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, therefore being named "Airline of the Year 2006" is all the more special.

Mr Chen said. "This award gives us great encouragement and will spur us on to do better in the future, both for Cathay Pacific and for the industry as a whole. I hope that the future of our industry will be bright in the years to come - together we can make it so."

The US-based ATW magazine says Cathay Pacific is the "Airline of the Year 2006" as it is "respected and admired among peers for its unwavering commitment to safety, technical excellence and customer service. Cathay Pacific has been among the elite of the world's airlines for several decades."

ATW Editorial Director J.A. Donoghue said: "For an airline to win this award it should have provided exemplary service to the public while compiling a model safety record, been innovative in developing new markets and services, been a leader in applying new technology to the airline industry, and consistently been profitable."

Cathay Pacific Airways
Corporate Communication Department