Penton's Air Transport World Announces Southwest Airlines is 2015 Airline of the Year

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's Air Transport World announced today that Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) is the recipient of its 2015 Airline of the Year Award.

Other winners of the 41^st Airline Industry Achievement Awards include Air Astana (Airline Market Leader of the Year), Ethiopian Airlines (Regional Airline of the Year); Spirit Airlines (Value Airline of the Year); Lufthansa (Eco-Airline of the Year); Boeing (Eco-Company of the Year); London Heathrow Terminal 2, The Queen's Terminal, and Star Alliance (Airport of the Year) and L-3 Link Simulation & Training (Aviation Technology Achievement).

In selecting Southwest as Airline of the Year, ATW editors cited the U.S. carrier's extraordinary and consistent standards of service, financial performance, safety, and environmental and corporate responsibility. In particular, for the first time in 14 years, Southwest achieved its 15%return on invested capital target, before taxes and excluding special items, reporting 17.1% for the 12 months ended June 30, 2014. Southwest remains the world's only airline that can claim 41 consecutive years of profitability. And it has maintained the highest of standards through its merger-acquisition with AirTran Airways, marking Southwest's transition to serving international destinations.

"CEO Gary Kelly's leadership has allowed the airline to become the USA's largest in terms of originating domestic passengers, as well as one of the world's safest airlines. With Gary at the helm, Southwest said goodbye to the Wright Amendment and hello to international destinations—massive milestones. All of this while delivering a financial performance that is the envy of airlines worldwide, and customer service that is renowned for its hospitality. I sincerely congratulate Gary and the entire Southwest Airlines team," ATW editor-in-chief Karen Walker said.

"On behalf of the People of Southwest Airlines, I am delighted that our airline has been selected by ATW as Airline of the Year," Southwest Airlines chairman, president, and CEO Gary Kelly said. "This is a prestigious honor, and I am proud for all of our Employees. They have done an extraordinary job transforming Southwest over the past decade, which culminated in a record and historic 2014 performance. Because of their Warrior Spirits, Southwest now flies to international destinations; Dallas Love Field has been set free from the Wright Amendment; AirTran will be fully integrated in just days; and LUV has reached lifetime highs. We celebrated this year with a bold new look to our brand and aircraft livery. This award is, truly, icing on the cake!"

The ATW awards are among the most coveted and valued honors in the airline industry. They will be presented by ATW Editors at a gala dinner in Washington, D.C. on February 25^th, 6:00 – 9:30 pm at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. For single seats, tables, sponsorships, and advertising sales please contact Beth Wagner at +1 703 997 0261.

Editor-in-Chief: Karen Walker, [email protected], +1 703 656 6300

Penton ATW Sales/Sponsorship/Advertising Contact: ATW Publisher & Managing Director of Business Development Beth Wagner, [email protected],  +1 703 997 0261

About Air Transport World
For nearly 50 years, Air Transport World, or ATW, has been the leading monthly magazine serving the needs of the global airline and commercial air transport manufacturing communities. Through its renowned editors—who have been nominated for nearly every major aviation journalism award available today—ATW provides balanced international coverage of the airline industry and reports on the trends that affect the way airlines do business. Topics covered in ATW include airline operations, airline management issues, information technology, safety & security, eco-aviation, alliances, distribution, transport aircraft and engine programs, MRO aero-politics, regulation, finance and leasing, airport development and air cargo. More…

ABOUT PENTON
Penton drives performance for more than sixteen million professionals each and every day. They rely on us to deliver: Insights, information & workflow tools to inform critical business decisions; networking & community to engage them with industry peers & partners; and data & marketing services to advance their business performance & deliver ROI.

Penton is a growth company with a track-record of strong performance and success and is backed by its co-owners: MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Elizabeth Sisk
Marketing Director
Penton Aviation Week Network
+1.860.245.5632
[email protected] 

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SOURCE Penton

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