As the travel industry reawakens, passengers return to find that their favourite carriers have a few new things up their sleeves
For a while, the global pandemic brought the world to a standstill, with border closings preventing long-distance air travel, as well as disrupting opportunities for business, education and personal connections. Recognising the importance of travel, these airline CEOs and founders from Asia’s Most Influential have worked hard to adapt their businesses during the pandemic and are now expanding their operations as the world emerges from the crisis. Their dedication to restoring air travel by ensuring the viability of their companies and the safety of passengers feeds the growing appetite for seeing the world once more. Asia’s airline leaders are making the joy of exchanging ideas and exploring different cultures possible again.
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Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines (SIA), is riding high on the triumphs of the national carrier. Under his leadership, the airline posted its highest net profit in its 76-year history, reporting S$2.16 billion for the financial year 2022 to 2023. SIA cited strategic initiatives and pre-emptive preparation during travel restrictions, as well the hard work and dedication of its employees as the drivers of its success. Reflecting its gratitude, the airline is rewarding its staff with profit-sharing and ex-gratia bonuses of around eight months of salary.
More good news: SIA has recently been named the 2023 Air Transport World Airline of the Year by Air Transport World. The honour, which lauds the airlines’ decisive response to Covid-19 restrictions and its successful post-pandemic re-entry into the market, will be awarded on June 2 in Istanbul.
Read Goh Choon Phong’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential