BUSINESS NEWS - Low-cost airline Mango was recognised yesterday as the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa for the second successive year at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
The awards represent the results of a global passenger satisfaction survey, querying in excess of 18.5 million travellers, and indicating levels of satisfaction with airlines the world over. As a quality distinction, the award takes into account satisfaction assessments of product and staff service standards of an airline in both the cabin and airport environments.
Mango was also ranked in the world’s top 100 airlines this year and last, ahead of its low-cost competitors.
The Skytrax World Airline Awards were hosted at the Paris Air Show’s Musee de l'Air et de l' Espace and received by Acting SAA CEO Nico Bezuidenhout, who also accepted two awards for Mango’s parent, SAA. This year, between Mango and SAA, the Group received the full quotient of accolades for African aviation. “Achievement serves as inspiration to reach even greater heights,” says Mango spokesperson Hein Kaiser. “Success and recognition is a result of the efforts of the sum of the collective; and for the continued pursuit of excellence the World Airline Award, Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa, belongs to everyone at Mango. Two successive years winning one of aviation’s most coveted awards is testament to everyone’s tireless effort.”
Next year Mango celebrates a decade in domestic aviation. During its first 9 years the airline grew from its launch fleet of 4 Boeing 737-800’s to its current complement of 10. The carrier has also flown in excess of 13.5 million Guests and operates from the majority of South Africa’s larger economic centres.
“Consistency of product, delivering value and innovation to our Guests as well as a renewed focus on Guest Service is a mantra at Mango,” says Kaiser. Affordability is a cornerstone and Mango has remained consistent in its commitment to South Africans.
“Accolades are fantastic, but even more-so the fact that travellers also choose Mango for reasons other than price. As airlines we are in the business of people and, while we do not always get it right, service is at the top of our agenda, always.”
