Kingfisher Airlines Announce 2011 Winner of Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Accolade

Amid a glamorous evening of celebrations, one of the world’s leading and most prestigious Indian airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, last night partnered with The Asian Awards 2011 as its Official Airline Partner to announce the event’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award and host the event’s star-studded After-Party.  

Taking place amid the grandeur of Grosvenor House, Park Lane London, The Asian Awards with Kingfisher Airlines’ support, was a spectacular night of glitz and glamour where the showbiz and business glitterati comprising state dignitaries, business tycoons, cultural icons and global celebrities gathered to celebrate the highest levels of achievement and excellence from within the global Asian community.  

Guests experienced high-octane entertainment, interspersed with a gourmet meal and a glittering awards presentation including the announcement of the Kingfisher Airlines Lifetime Achievement Accolade which was awarded to music legend Asha Bhosle, one of the greatest playback singers in Bollywood history with over 13,000 songs to her credit.

The award was presented to Asha Bhosle by Rachel Finn, Kingfisher Airlines – General Manager UK & Europe. Other award winners included Freddie Mercury, Ravi Shankar, Muttiah Muralitharan, Anand Mahindra, Amir Khan, Jay Sean, Meera Syal and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar. 

In true Kingfisher Airlines panache, the ultimate event highlight was when distinguished guests extended their evening into the early hours of the morning at the lavish Kingfisher Airlines After Party which bewitched in decadent red décor.

Guests received a warm welcome by Kingfisher Airlines’ exuberant hostesses in cabin-crew attire who checked-in their Kingfisher First passengers at the check-in points.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal entertained guests with his eclectic music line-up of Western and Bollywood music tracks as they experienced a unique visual treat with Kingfisher themed body artists adding further intrigue to the event.  

Event attendees included global music icon Jay Sean; the family of music legend Freddie Mercury; international comedy sensation Russell Peters; Mayor of London Boris Johnson; actress and writer Meera Syal; Film Director Gurinder Chadha OBE; Lord Sebastian Coe KBE; fashion icon Christian Louboutin; and entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den panellist James Caan. India’s most awarded airline, Kingfisher Airlines, caters to all segments of air travel ranging from the low-fare service, Kingfisher Red; to the premium economy service, Kingfisher Class; and the luxurious Kingfisher First.

Exclusive to The Asian Awards’ esteemed guest-list, attendees also had the exclusive opportunity of winning a return ticket to India on Kingfisher First, Kingfisher Airlines’ premium flight service for the discerning, business class traveller who yearns for supreme exclusivity in all aspects of their lives. The winner was announced at the after-party by Indian TV personality and actress Nikki Walia.  

Launched in 2006, Kingfisher First has redefined business class flights from London Heathrow to India as each and every service has been designed to perfection, from its plushest Sleeperette seats, on-board bar, world-class in-flight entertainment to culinary works of art with the exclusive and award-winning three course menu complete with a Kingfisher sparkling welcome drink, signature dessert and freshly brewed coffee on board. Other services available on-board are an international-class welcome pack, spectacle cleaning services, stain removers and laptop and mobile phone chargers in each seat. 

Founded by India’s leading billionaire businessman, Dr Vijay Mallya and part of the UB Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates with diverse interests and a global presence, Kingfisher Airlines remains India’s most awarded Indian airline, offering the largest flight network in India with over 350 daily flights connecting 67 destination cities worldwide. Affirming Kingfisher Airlines’ position as UK’s No.1 Indian airline of choice for flights from London Heathrow to Mumbai, the airline was recently conferred with the prestigious ‘Best Indian Airline’ Award at the Business Traveller Awards 2011, acknowledging the airline’s outstanding performance and contribution to business travel and the hospitality industry in the UK.

Other accolades include Kingfisher Airlines being one of the only seven airlines awarded 5-star rating by Skytrax in the world, rendering it the only airline in India to receive this, and the airline being the recipient of the Skytrax Award for India's Best Airliner of the Year 2011, making it the perfect partner for the prestigious Asian Awards. Kingfisher Airlines understands the needs of its corporate and high net worth clientele and offers world class services on its international flights from the UK to India.

Offering a unique corporate travel programme to their ever growing customer base, Kingfisher Airlines launched King Club, the frequent flyer programme which is regarded as one of the most rewarding programmes in its space as it offers its members an unparalleled level of ‘earn and redeem’ benefits. The King Club programme partners include leading international airlines, credit cards, luxury and business hotels, investment and insurance companies, telecom service providers, lifestyle brands, car rental providers, publishing brands and more. Travellers can also redeem British Airways miles on Kingfisher Airlines flights from London Heathrow to India.  

Partnering with The Asian Awards was a fitting opportunity for Kingfisher Airlines, whose core values and ethos were perfectly aligned with the respected event. Kingfisher Airlines is a name synonymous with enterprise, fortitude and delivering the very best through integrity and dynamism. The business acumen and celebration of entrepreneurship that can be found at the heart of the company paralleled the very foundations and principles underlying The Asian Awards.