Gokongwei wins global airline leadership award

LONDON -- Cebu Pacific chief executive officer and president Lance Gokongwei was recognized at the annual Airline Strategy Awards 2012, held in London on July 9 "for leading Cebu Pacific to become the largest and most profitable domestic carrier in the Philippines while positioning it for future international leadership."

The Airline Strategy awards, hosted by Flightglobal publication, Airline Business, started in 2002. The event recognizes the airline industry’s best in leadership, marketing, and innovation. Gokongwei was nominated among other low cost carrier leaders worldwide.

Previous Airline Strategy awardees in the Low Cost Leadership category include Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary, Jetstar's Alan Joyce, and Air Asia's Tony Fernandes.

"The airline industry is prone to constant threats -- be they economic, political or operational -- and only those carriers exhibiting strong leadership will be equipped to prosper. The Airline Strategy Awards, which are now in their second decade, have consistently recognized the high achievers in boardroom leadership, a quality shared by all this year’s winners," said Max Kingsley-Jones, editor of Airline Business.

"We are very happy to be recognized as an industry leader. Cebu Pacific's growth has been possible through our guests’ support throughout the years, and the dedication of the Cebu Pacific team to a shared of vision of providing every Juan the chance to fly," Gokongwei said.

Earlier this year, Cebu Pacific announced that it will be operating long haul flights in the 3rd quarter of 2013, with the addition of Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft will allow the airline to offer its services to markets within the 11-hour flying range of the Airbus A330.

"Next year, we will further reinforce our commitment to that vision. Cebu Pacific will launch long haul services in the second half of 2013. We look forward to be of service to more travellers, not just in the ASEAN, but possibly in other markets including the Middle East, Australia, Oceania, parts of Europe and the US." Gokongwei said.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft, with an average age of 3.6 years is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders.