Asiana Airlines Gets
5-Star Award Ranking

'Has shown itself to be a very consistent, high-quality performer across all areas of the service delivery chain to customers'

The World Airline Star Ranking, introduced in 2000, is conducted every year, ranking quality performance of 450 airlines world-wide from a lowest score of 1-star to a highest score of 5-star on the basis of their airport & cabin services. This ranking system is considered to be the most authoritative quality-ranking system in the airline industry.
Skytrax Chairman Edward Plaisted said, "Asiana has shown itself to be a very consistent, high-quality performer across all areas of the service delivery chain to customers, and now that they are delivering their new, upgraded product standards on a fairly wide basis, we believe the time is right to honour their quality achievement with 5 star ranking"
According to Skytrax, the 5-Star ranking "recognizes airlines at the forefront of product innovation, that generally set trends to be followed by other carriers"Now the 5- Star airline group has 5 members in the world:
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Asiana Airlines.
Skytrax, renowned for its World Airline Star Rating Programme, established in 1989 in England, has conducted product and service quality analysis for the world airlines with a unique format for assessing and quantifying quality standards for over 18 years.The results of the analysis are posted on the Skytrax website (www.airlinequality.com).
Asiana Airlines, ANA to Enter Equity Partnership
At a press conference held in Seoul on June 12,
Asiana Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced a cross-shareholding agreement as part of their strategic alliance to strengthen bilateral ties across the board.
The scope and level of cooperation was agreed by a specially commissioned task force team, following months of preparation that resulted from the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the CEOs of both companies on December 5, 2006.
Speaking at the press conference, ASIANA President Mr. Kang Joo-an said, "We are delighted to be here today to reveal the next step in our relationship with fellow Star Alliance partner, ANA. What we have announced today will bolster our respective route networks and create synergies for improved profitability and greater customer satisfaction. And the mutual holding of shares in each other's company is a symbol of our commitment to work ever more closely together to the benefit of our passengers."ANA President and CEO, Mr. Mineo Yamamoto,
who with Mr. Kang, signed the agreement, added, "ASIANA has been a valued partner of ANA since 1990, and we share similar ideals, histories and service ethos. It is our sincere wish that this new stage in our partnership will serve the needs of customers travelling between both nations and, while bringing commercial advantages to ASIANA and ANA, further the friendly ties between the people of Korea and Japan." nw

Asiana Airlines has been awarded with a 5-Star Award ranking. (far right photo) Park Sam-koo, chairman of Kumho-Asiana Group.