"A strong performer in earlier year Surveys, 2008 is the time for easyJet to truly celebrate as they walk off with the accolade as World's Best Low-Cost Airline" said Edward Plaisted (CEO of Skytrax).
"As we have stated in earlier years, low-cost does not need to, nor should it equate to low-quality service, and easyJet is clear testament that low-cost operations can be delivered with a good standard of customer care and passenger service quality - with their level of customer loyalty clearly demonstrating a winning formula" added Plaisted.
Virgin Blue make a return to the top of the global rankings, placed in 2nd place worldwide, ahead of 2007 winner Jetstar Airways in 3rd place, with Air Berlin and Southwest Airlines 4th and 5th respectively.
JetStar Asia fought off a spirited challenge from Air Asia and Tiger Airways to win the Best Low-Cost Airline Asia Award. "This award for the Asia region has become one of most hotly contested survey sections" said Edward Plaisted of Skytrax. "It is due credit to JetStar Asia for turning around last year's results and taking this top award for 2008. Credit must be due to all JetStar Asia front-line staff, as this appeared to be where the real winning challenge came from".
"The next 12 months is going to continue providing real challenges to the world airline industry, and this will be felt harder by many of the low-cost airlines in particular. Evidently their focus will be upon reducing costs, but the key element within such exercises is to prevent alienating passengers with the ever increasing set of add-on charges. The demise of Oasis Hong Kong earlier in 2008 underlines the fact that there is not really a sustainable market for long-haul low cost airlines, and we would be surprised to see any change in that market for at least 2 years .... the full service airlines generally compete well on long-haul fares, and with charter airlines also in the market, long haul low-cost does not have any true pent-up demand to satisfy" added Edward Plaisted.
| BEST LOW-COST AIRLINES : WORLDWIDE | ||
| Rank | Airline | 2007 |
| 1 | easyJet | 3 |
| 2 | Virgin Blue | 6 |
| 3 | Jetstar Airways | 1 |
| 4 | Air Berlin | 2 |
| 5 | Southwest Airlines | 7 |
| Regional Results | |
| EUROPE | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | easyJet |
| 2 | Air Berlin |
| 3 | SkyEurope Airlines |
| ASIA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Jetstar Asia |
| 2 | Air Asia |
| 3 | Tiger Airways |
| AFRICA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Mango |
| 2 | Kulula |
| 3 | 1time |
| AUSTRALIA / PACIFIC | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Virgin Blue |
| 2 | Jetstar Airways |
| 3 | Tiger Airways |
| MIDDLE EAST | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Air Arabia |
| 2 | Bahrain Air |
| 3 | Jazeera Airways |
| NORTH AMERICA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Southwest Airlines |
| 2 | jetBlue Airways |
| 3 | Frontier Airlines |
| SOUTH AMERICA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Gol |
| 2 | Webjet Linhas Aéreas |
| 3 | Easyfly |
| Result publication allowed with prior consent of Skytrax | |
| REGIONAL BREAKDOWN | |
| INDIA / CENTRAL ASIA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Spicejet |
| 2 | Indigo |
| 3 | JetLite |
| SOUTH EAST ASIA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Jetstar Asia |
| 2 | Air Asia |
| 3 | Tiger Airways |
| NORTHERN ASIA | |
| Rank | Airline |
| 1 | Skymark Airlines |
| 2 | Spring Airlines |
| 3 | Star Flyer |
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AIRLINE OF THE YEAR