airBaltic, Latvian budget airline, was announced Airline of the Year 2009/2010 Gold Award winner on October 8 by European Regions Airline Association (ERA). The award was announced at the 2009 General Assembly of ERA in Interlaken, Switzerland.

Bertolt Flick, President and CEO of airBaltic said: "We are very pleased that airBaltic is recognized Airline of the Year by the regional airline business community and media. airBaltic will continue its path of development and growth despite the challenging and complex market conditions."

The SILVER Award went to Cimber Sterling of Denmark, while the BRONZE Award was won by KLM Cityhopper, the daughter carrier of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

The ERA panel of experts named the below reasons for their choice - airBaltic succeeded in developing a new business model from a point to point low cost operator into a network carrier; building an important international hub in Riga in a period of severe economic crisis in the Baltic markets.

Silver winner Cimber Sterling was commended by the judges for its acquisition of Sterling Airways leading to a complete change of business model and ambitious goals. The Danish carrier has seen explosive growth with 26 new destinations launched since January 2009 and has significantly increased its home market share. President Jørgen Nielsen accepted the Award.

The successful introduction of the Embraer 190, the restructuring of its technical activities, improved ground handling services and a number of other measures to increase efficiency, lower costs and improve passenger satisfaction following its integration with sister airline KLM UK, were among the many achievements that clinched the Bronze prize for KLM Cityhopper. Vincent van Hooff, Director Flight Operations received the trophy.

The ERA Airline of the Year is judged by senior industry experts including past CEOs of European airlines and independent aviation journalists from a variety of European countries.

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