C-fit Awards 2009

In January 2010, visitors to the c-fit website voted in the c-fit awards, recognising a range of people of note throughout 2009.

Results will be revealed from Tuesday 26th January through to Thursday 28th.

Special Recognition Award



Keith Floyd
The late, great Keith Floyd was not only a masterful chef, but also a tremendous advocate for international travel, taking viewers on fascinating tours of countries through both culture and food. Always enthusiastic in everything he did, Floyd rejected political correctness and set-piece situations to show viewers what the world was really like. Several chefs have tried, and failed, to copy his style; but for many Brits, Floyd's programmes embodied all that was great about travel. Between 1984 and 2001 Floyd took viewers right into the heart of countries they had never visited and brought entire cultures in to peoples' homes and many of his 34 books were as much travelogues as cookery books. He will be missed.


UK Airline of the Year



Virgin Atlantic
Consistently voted as the best transatlantic airline, Virgin has defied the odds and posted increased profits in 2009 while its main rival, British Airways, has struggled with trade unions and a humongous pension deficit

Runner up: easyJet


Foreign Airport of the Year



Hong Kong International, China
The revolutionary island airport in Hong Kong is still consistently regarded as one of the best airports in the world for efficiency and customer service. Hong Kong is also the standard that the Mayor of London is aiming for in plans for a Thames Estuary airport.

Runner-up: Incheon International Airport, South Korea


Sparring Partner of the Year




Brian Ross, Stop Stansted Expansion
Always willing to debate aviation policy, Brian Ross is committed to his cause and his great sense of humour lit up the party conference fringe by sticking to the issues and not getting sidetracked by emotional arguments.

Runner-up: Charles Tannock MEP


UK Airport of the Year



London City
Despite losing the flight to Manchester, customers of London's most central airport can now fly to New York and with permission to expand granted, destinations are bound to increase greatly in the next few years.

Runner-up: Manchester


Foreign Airline of the Year



Air New Zealand
While virtually every airline has halved its free checked baggage allowance, Air New Zealand has not followed suit. Continued outstanding levels of service with a quirky touch, including the 'Nothing to Hide' publicity campaign which became a YouTube success.

Runner-up: Virgin America


Opposition Politician of the Year



Geoff Hoon
In the Opposition Day debate in January 2009, Hoon gave one of the best parliamentary performances of the year with reasoned argument, humour and solid credibility, leading to a Government victory on Heathrow. While we would disagree with Hoon's politics in many areas, credit where credit is due to the former Transport Secretary.

Runner-up: Lord Adonis


Website of the Year



expedia.co.uk
The UK arm of the world's largest online travel company, expedia.co.uk is consistently the cheapest way to book flights and hotels together, undercutting traditional travel agents in most circumstances.

Runner-up: travelsupermarket.com


Politician of the Year



Boris Johnson
The Mayor of London, despite belittling from many in the press and from within the party itself, has kept to his word of investigating a new airport in the Thames Estuary. Even if the new airport never gets any further in development (it is recommended that more studies commence no later than the summer of 2010), Boris Johnson has emphasised the need for further airport capacity in the south-east, even if Heathrow and Stasted are not allowed to expand.

Runner-up: Lord Lawson


Advocate of the Year



AERBT
aerbt.co.uk provides its subscribers with one of the best travel news digests on the web, sent free of charge to inboxes every Monday.

The information, content and comment provided by AERBT is second to none, being user-friendly, informative and interesting, added to a steadfast and non-nonsense approach to supporting the travel industry.

Runner-up: Iain Dale