News : Asiana Airlines received Mercury Award for Charming Service Subject Asiana Airlines received Mercury Award for Charming Service
Date 2008-02-27 Hits 98

Asiana Airlines (President & C.O.O. Joo-an Kang) was awarded a Mercury Award from the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) in the On- Board Service-Air category.

The prestigious Mercury Award is the definitive distinction in travel catering and onboard service worldwide, sought after by the best and most pro-active companies in the industry. The Mercury Awards consists of nine categories and evaluates airlines from all over the world honoring innovation, inspiration, and application as well as internal and external customer satisfaction within the wide sphere of customer service.

From November 2007 to January 2008, candidates were evaluated using the ITCA’s strict criteria. The final results were announced on February, 15, 2008 in Nice, France, and Asiana Airlines was chosen as the recipient of Mercury Award in the On-Borad Service-Air for its Charming Service.

Asiana Airlines had creatively presented the Mask Pack Service to passengers in all classes on some long haul flights such as the routes between Incheon and New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Frankfurt, London and Sydney since 2006. Asiana Airlines trained members of the cabin crew to do Make Up as well as Nail Art. These trained cabin crew named The Charming Service Team care for the passengers’ troubled skin caused by the dry atmosphere in the cabin with the moistured facial mask. As the customers are satisfied with the Charming Service, Asiana Airlines plans to expand it; Asiana will increase the frequency of the charming service flights(presently twice a month on each route), and expand this service to mid-haul routes. To do this, Asiana will increase the make-up training courses to train its flight attendants. Moreover, Asiana will inform its passengers the schedule of the charming service flights. Asiana Airlines has been a Mercury Award recipient three times. Along with the accolades it received for its Ssambab menu in 2006, was also recognized for its Flying Magic Service in 2003 and In-Flight Fashion Show Service in 2005.

Referential Data
1)The Mercury Awards
The Mercury Awards has been recognized as the most authoritative award in world air-transportation service recognition since it was established 26 years ago by Willie Seeman, founder-president of the International Travel Catering Association. Mercury Awards are given to winners after categorically evaluating competing services for 3 months.

2) ITCA
ITCA (International Travel Catering Association) is an international civil organization related to in-flight, rail and shipping services. ITCA grew out of IFCA which was formed in the United Kingdom in 1980. IFCA was established as a forum and representative body for all companies involved in the inflight service industry. In 2005 with the formation of ITCA this was opened up to include both the rail and shipping industries as well as inflight. Membership is divided into three categories - caterers, suppliers of products and equipment, and airline/sea/rail operators .

3) Mercury Award Categories & winners of this year
- Category 1 : On-Board Service Air : Asiana Airlines (Charming Service)
- Category 2 : On-Board Service Rail : None
- Category 3 : On-Board Service Sea : None
- Category 4 : Food or Beverage : Monty’s Bakehouse ( Monty’s Bakehouse posh pas)
- Category 5 : Equipment : Hobart Gmbh (Aircatering Dishwash System)
- Category 6 : Skills Development : Air Fayre (Operational Excellence Training Barrier)
- Category 7 : Systems and Process Development : Air Canada
- Category 8 : Inspirations : Quopad Ltd (Quopad)
- Category 9 : The Executive Board Award for Outstanding Achievement : CEO, Mr Ostro