Saturday, December 10, 2011

Austrian Airlines highlights five years in Erbil

Erbil's best choice for flight has big plans for the future


Austrian Airlines, the first European carrier to fly to Erbil, celebrates five years of friendly flight over Kurdistan's airways.

Five years ago, on December 11, 2006, Austrian Airlines' first civilian aircraft, an Airbus A319, landed at Erbil International Airport. Today, five years later, Austrian Airlines is still a leading carrier operating between Erbil and the world, and the favorite choice for Kurdish and international politicians and business people.

When Austrian Airlines launched its flights to Erbil in 2006, there were not many choices for Kurdistan passengers to reach various destinations around the globe or fly from around the world to Kurdistan, and a fast-growing, emerging economy had started at a fast pace with the Iraq rebuilding process.

The decision by Austrian Airlines to launch flights to Kurdistan Region's capital city at that time encouraged international investors and businessmen to look for opportunities within the new market.

With more than 130 destinations worldwide, Austrian Airlines is operated through the Vienna International Airport and is the No. 1 choice for passengers flying to virtually any destination in Europe and other destinations from Erbil.

The quality of service, comfort and punctuality of schedules are among numerous competitive advantages Austrian Airlines has over other carriers flying to and from Erbil. The airline won two "First Awards" at the World Airlines Awards: "Best Business Class Catering" and "Staff Service Excellence Europe." By bringing this worldwide quality of service to Kurdistan, Austrian Airlinescan claim to be a pioneer in Kurdistan's market.

KrekarGardi, Austrian Airlines' Erbil branch sales manager, stated in an exclusive interview with "The Kurdish Globe" that during its five years of operation in Kurdistan, the airline has been able to connect Kurdistan's economy to the international market, channel international expertise into the Kurdish market, and help the Kurdish Diaspora in Europe visit families back in Kurdistan to spend holidays and share the happiness of national and social events among their families, relatives, and friends.

"We have sponsored many concerts, Kurdish film festivals, and other traditional and cultural events both in Kurdistan and Europe," said Gardi, thumbing a USB flash memory in the shape of an Austrian aircraft in his office on Shoresh Street in Erbil. "We have assisted students and academic staff from Kurdistan in visiting Europe for educational and academic purposes."

Gardi explained how Austrian Airlines has helped patients seeking treatment abroad by providing special seating, in-flight medical services and discounted flight tickets as well as other airport formalities.

As part of its corporate social responsibility in Kurdistan Region, the airline has distributed tons of toys and stationery to poor students in a number of schools in villages around the city of Erbil. "We were thinking of doing something for Kurdistan children, and the idea came to our minds to ask all our staff around the world to send a toy to Kurdistan," said Gardi. "After awhile, we received a few tons of toys from around the globe in Vienna, and we distributed them among children in some villages."

Austrian Airlines also claims to have facilitated and accelerated the region's rebuilding and infrastructure development by transporting a majority of experts and investors to help the country; they flew out locals from the private and public sectors to share experiences and get training abroad.

The airline was also the world's first to make its on board announcements in Kurdish and offer electronic tickets, web check-in and other online facilities for Erbil passengers. And though the number of carriers and flights continuously increases in Kurdistan and more airlines compete, Austrian Airlines is still among the favorite carriers for passengers.

Gardi argues that one of his company's sources of pride in Kurdistan and an indication or its unique service and quality is that the airline has been and is still the only preferred carrier by Kurdistan Region's President Massoud Barzani, and it is his exclusive airline choice to have the honor to have His Excellency on board for his international meetings and tours.

"Austrian AIrlines is preferred also by many other government officials, businessmen, investors and other VIP passengers, something that makes us try our best to maintain and improve our service quality."

Austrian management plans to further its services and work harder to satisfyits customers. The airline's slogan is "We fly for your smile!"Now, with the help of Lufthansa, the airline has six flights scheduled per week, except Sundays, from and to Erbil.

Furthermore, customers of Austrian Airlines can benefit from its Miles & More program and use the best lounges in the world, thanks to the airline's membership in the Star Alliance. The airline has plans to improve several aspects of its services, including customer service staff who speak six different languages and are accessible 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

"Our well-trained, motivated and multilingual staff are always there to make our clients smile," noted Gardi. "We are determined to keep the emphasis on our competitive advantages, including best network, highest standards of quality and utmost hospitality."

http://www.kurdishglobe.net

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