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KUALA LUMPUR: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Monday spoke of ways for Singapore Airlines (SIA) to remain a premium airline in the world amidst the global competition.
Mr Lee was speaking at a dialogue with aviation leaders at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conference in Kuala Lumpur where he was honoured with the Global Aviation Leadership Award.
IATA's Global Aviation Leadership Award was conceived in 2003 and Mr Lee is its third recipient.
The two other recipients of the award, in 2003 and 2005, were Dr Assad Kotaite, the president of ICAO Council, and the then Minister of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Mr Yang Yuanyuan.
The association said through Mr Lee's leadership and due to his strong belief in an open market and free competition, the aviation industry has two major achievements – SIA, which is one of the industry's strongest carriers, and Changi Airport, the most efficient airport in the world.
Mr Lee said the challenge is to stay ahead of the pack.
"Our advantage is, we have built up a culture which is Singaporean – punctual, diligent; always smiling on the ground and in the air, and we deliver good service with a modern fleet of aircraft.
"Our fleet's average age is five years and we keep turning them over, which is the only way we can stay a premium airline... Premium airlines are suffering not because the companies are poor, but they expect the downturn to linger on," he said.
Mr Lee also emphasised on the importance of decisions by companies to locate their businesses in a particular country.
He said: "Many companies are moving their regional headquarters to Singapore... what is the reason? Because of air travel, the Internet and the cellphone.
"You can control your operations in Asia from a city which is clean and safe, and you can drink from night to morn and the service will be there..."
Besides tapping the views of the minister mentor on the challenges facing the aviation industry, the captains of the industry also took the opportunity to get Mr Lee's views on several global issues - such as his impression of US President Barack Obama.
"He is a very capable man. I have no doubts. He has appointed some very strong people in almost every department," Mr Lee said.
Besides taking part in the IATA General Assembly, the minister mentor will also meet Malaysian politicians in Kuala Lumpur and in a few other states to update himself on the country's development plans.
- CNA/so
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