Bangkok--Nov 29--Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited’s President, Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, was recently awarded the “World Airline Leadership Award” for year 2005.
Skytrax’s “World Airline Leadership Award” is based on a mixture of passenger research conducted by Skytrax Business Research Group and internal Skytrax Director evaluation. A statement released by Skytrax stated that the “World Airline Leadership Award” is centered on specific CEOs or Presidents across a range of airlines, with evaluation based on the “personal” impact of that they respectively have on implementing change in their airlines.
With regards to Mr. Abhiradee’s nomination and award of this year’s Skytrax “World Airline Leadership Award,” Skytrax said “We examined many different factors within the selection process and looked for the airline President or CEO who has achieved change and improvement through true hands-on leadership. THAI is undergoing a real metamorphosis in terms of quality change, and this is much more than just cosmetic improvement.”
Results from more than 100 airlines were examined by Skytrax. This was then reduced down to an initial shortlist of 25, and then to a final shortlist of 6 candidates with selection for the awardee from the shortlist of final candidates conducted internally by a special group of Skytrax Directors. Skytrax stated that one of the key factors in final selection was to identify the CEO or President that has been the driver and achiever of substantive change within their airline, by direct, hands-on contact and involvement.
Mr. Kanok Abhiradee was appointed as President of Thai Airways International in May 2002, when the world airline industry was recovering from the impact of 9/11. After he was appointed as THAI’s President, Mr. Abhiradee guided the company through the SARS public health crisis that affected the airline industry as well as the Asian Tsunami that affected travel to parts of Southern Thailand. The most recent challenge that Skytrax praises Mr. Abhiradee in managing is the company’s ability to maintain business profitability and competitiveness due to the increasing price of jet fuel. Last year, Mr. Abhiradee received Orient Aviation’s “Person of the Year Award” for exceptional ability in and dedication to managing the company, benefiting the company as a whole. In addition, he also received a leadership award from The Boss magazine and an Honorary Doctorate from Ramkamhaeng University. End.