Vueling’s Alex Cruz Scoops Best CEO Award

Tuesday 5th October, 2010

Alex Cruz, CEO of Vueling, Spain’s new generation airline, took the accolade of Best CEO in the low cost sector’s widely renowned Budgie Awards 2010* last week.

He was honoured by an independent panel of industry experts for his work in leading a committed team to bring together two unprofitable Spanish low cost carriers - Clickair and Vueling – cut costs, introduce best practice and create one profitable, single airline.

The judging panel, comprising John Strickland, JLS Consulting; Jay Sorenson, President, Ideaworks; Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman, CAPA, David Huttner, partner, Nyras Capital; Chris Tarry, CTAIRA and Patrick Murphy, former chairman of Ryanair determined: “In a particularly challenging year, this CEO (Alex Cruz) demonstrated outstanding and exemplary leadership, delivering improved financial results against increased competition. He has emerged as a real force in the aviation industry.”

Clickair and Vueling, three and five years old, respectively, at the time of the merger in July 2009, were struggling in a market where there was fierce competition and overcapacity. One year on, Vueling is profitable with some 15.5 million Euros of cost synergies saved during 2009/2010. And the airline continues to innovate - the latest being its ground breaking new Vueling to Vueling Connections programme at its Barcelona hub, where Vueling enjoys a 27% market share. Launched in July this year, this has so far resulted in an additional 3% more passengers with Vueling.

Connections is a key part of Vueling’s network development and it has only been possible thanks to highly co-operative ground handling companies and a new passenger terminal, designed with the interlining passenger in mind. Vueling passengers can, from next week, make connections within 55 minutes of their onward departure.

Accepting the award from Alessandro Ciancimino, Partner, Sabre Airline Solutions at London Heathrow’s Sofitel Hotel, Alex Cruz said: “I am delighted with this recognition, but I am accepting this on behalf of my terrific, dedicated team who have worked tirelessly and energetically these past 18 months to embrace the new culture of the new Vueling.” Alex follows Maury Gallagher, CEO of Allegiant, 2009’s winner.

Breaking the mould of the traditional LCC

Speaking at the LCC event last week, Alex Cruz highlighted that Vueling is firmly set on its path in breaking the mould of the traditional low cost model. “The fundamentalists are scratching their heads, but we are proving that, in order to be successful, the only unbreakable tenet in our business is containing costs. And with that in mind, we are constantly innovating and adapting our product to meet the needs of business travellers, working closely with airports, travel agencies and constantly enhancing our business product.”

Alex Cruz reiterated that after a period of consolidation in 2010, Vueling will be expanding its network and fleet next year. He also confirmed that Vueling would like to add a few more routes from London and the UK.

*The Budgie Awards were created to recognize the leaders, innovators, creative talents and pioneers in the global Low Cost Airline industry. They are the highlight of the immensely popular World Low Cost Airline Congress.

Editor’s note

Vueling was founded in 2004 with an initial two Airbus A320 aircraft. Today it has a fleet of 37 A320s serving 50 main airports in 23 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

On July 15, 2009, Vueling completed its merger with clickair. The company’s main shareholders are Iberia (45.35%), Nefinsa (4.15%), Fidelity (3.86%) and a free float of 46.13%.

Pictured: Alessandro Ciancimino, Partner, Sabre Airline Solutions (left) Alex Cruz, CEO Vueling (middle) Terence O'Dwyer from event organiser Terrappin (right).