BMI wins Airline of the Year 2004

BMI has scooped the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland's (CCI's) Airline of the Year Award 2004 and has also won in the ‘Best Airline 2004 - London Routes’ category.

The annual awards are organised by CCI's Air Transport Users' Council (ATUC) and this year the winners were selected following a survey by MORI MRC of 500 Irish companies.

Announcing the winner, ATUC Chairperson Tadhg Kearney said: "BMI's performance in this survey illustrates how highly competitive Ireland's air transport environment has become.

“Historically, respondents in this survey have indicated a very strong allegiance to Irish-based carriers such as Aer Lingus and Ryanair but this year, respondents have voted strongly in favour of BMI, a carrier whose main base is in the UK.

"This obvious competition is good for the consumer, good for the economy and good for our airline industry and it is proof that vigorous competition in a liberalised market is the best model and it works for both the consumer and the industry."

BMI Chief Executive Officer Austin Reid welcomed the awards saying: "We are delighted that BMI has been named Airline of the Year 2004.

“It is a wonderful accolade for the company as a whole, and for the team in Ireland in particular

The awards were presented by the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan.

Winners:

Best Airline 2004 Other UK Routes: BA CitiExpress

Best Airline 2004 Transatlantic Routes: Aer Lingus

Best Airline 2004 European Routes: Scandinavian Airlines

Best Airline 2004 Online Services: Aer Arann

Best Airline 2004 Overall Value for Money: Ryanair

Best International Airport 2004: Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

Best Irish Airport 2004: Cork Airport

Best Regional Airport 2004: Knock Airport