LONDON, Sept. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hainan Airlines, part of HNA Aviation Group, was named a SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline for the 15th consecutive year at the 2026 World Airline Awards ceremony in London on Sept. 18, in recognition of its consistently high-quality products and services. The airline also ranked among the Skytrax World's Best Airlines Top 10 List and earned top honors in several global and regional categories, including Best Airline in China, Best Airline Staff Service in China and Best Business Class Airline Comfort Amenities. Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines, attended the ceremony.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of SKYTRAX, congratulated Hainan Airlines on retaining its Five-Star Airline rating for the 15th consecutive year. In 2026, Hainan Airlines once again ranked among the world's top 10 airlines and placed fourth in the World's Best Cabin Crew category, reflecting its growing standing in the international aviation industry.

"We are greatly honored to receive three prestigious awards from SKYTRAX," said Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines. "These accolades are high recognition of Hainan Airlines' service quality and product innovation, and represent the combined achievements of our dedicated workforce and the enduring trust of our passengers. As a SKYTRAX 5‑Star Airline, we will remain passenger‑centric, continuously elevate our service standards and product experience, and further advance service innovation. We strive to deliver more comfortable, convenient and heartfelt travel experiences for passengers across the globe. These awards will drive us forward. Benchmarking against higher standards, we will refine our premium aviation services and work to create an even better in‑flight journey for travelers worldwide."

Hainan Airlines continues to expand its international network, which now spans Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania. To date, its international and regional network comprises more than 70 routes on which service has resumed or begun, or is scheduled to begin. At the same time, the airline continues to optimize its domestic network and express services. Its Premium Express network has expanded to nine routes, while its Free Trade Port Express network now includes six, providing business and frequent travelers with a more efficient and convenient experience throughout their journey.

The airline is also expanding its connecting services. Streamlined ground services for itineraries involving international and regional connections are now available at major national and regional aviation hubs, including Beijing, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Haikou, Xi'an, Changsha, Chengdu Tianfu, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou. The number of domestic departure points covered by these services has increased from 19 to 36, encompassing 21 provincial capitals, three municipalities, three autonomous-region capitals and several other key passenger markets. The number of departure points outside mainland China has increased to 41.

Hainan Airlines builds its five‑star service brand anchored in three core values: cultural experience, beyond expectation and humanity, represented by three exclusive sub‑brands DREAM, HAI and CARE respectively. The DREAM series delivers premium lounge cultural experience, covering self‑operated lounges in Beijing, Haikou, Hangzhou, Urumqi and Taiyuan, partner lounges in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, an upcoming partner lounge in Chongqing, and a distinctive co‑branded lounge in Shanghai jointly developed with IHG. The HAI series focuses on exceeding passenger expectations via efficient ground services including HAI‑PASS, global self‑check‑in and seamless interline transfers with baggage through‑check. The CARE series embodies humanized travel philosophy with tailored pet‑friendly cabin travel solutions. All optimized ground services jointly create a refined and thoughtful travel journey for passengers.

In addition, Hainan Airlines continues to build partnerships with leading premium brands and explore regional culinary traditions as it upgrades every aspect of its in-flight dining program and further enhances its five-star service. Renewing its partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the airline has teamed up with Cai Feng Lou at HUALUXE Xi'an Tanghua to introduce "Dining Above the Clouds: Finest Flavors from North and South," a collaborative menu that brings the culinary traditions of the ancient capital of Xi'an on board. Hainan Airlines has also continued to refine its in-flight beverage program and update its drinks menu, offering a carefully selected range of premium beverages and a wider variety of choices for passengers.

Looking ahead, Hainan Airlines will maintain its unwavering commitment to safety and service. The airline will continue to develop new service offerings, improve its service processes and refine every detail of the passenger experience. By combining elements of Eastern culture with modern airline service, Hainan Airlines will continue to strengthen its international capabilities and provide passengers worldwide with a safer, more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable five-star travel experience. It will also continue supporting the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the continued modernization and growth of China's civil aviation industry.

For more information, please visit:

Official websites: www.hnair.com or www.hainanairlines.com

Weibo: https://www.weibo.com/hnair

WeChat: HNairlines

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Bei den Vereinigten Bühnen Wien (VBW) steht ein markanter Wechsel an der Spitze an: Mit 1. Dezember übernimmt die deutsch-österreichische Kulturmanagerin Andrea Pier die Geschäftsführung des städtischen Theaterkonzerns von Franz Patay. Der 65-Jährige hatte die VBW seit 2016 geleitet und war insgesamt zehn Jahre in geschäftsführender Verantwortung. Unter seinem Kommando mussten die Häuser – Raimund Theater, Ronacher und das Musiktheater an der Wien – heuer Einsparungen von fünf Millionen Euro verkraften, womit das Jahresbudget auf 51 Millionen Euro sank. Der Führungswechsel erfolgt damit in einer Phase, die von Budgetdruck und Konsolidierungszwängen geprägt ist.

Mit Pier steht erstmals offiziell eine Frau dauerhaft an der Spitze der Vereinigten Bühnen Wien; ein nur kurzes Interregnum von Lia Metchev-Herbst im Jahr 2016 ausgenommen. Die 1969 in Bielefeld geborene Managerin setzte sich in einem von der externen Personalberatung Christoph la Garde organisierten Auswahlverfahren gegen 18 Mitbewerberinnen und Mitbewerber durch. Die Hearing-Kommission – unter anderem mit der VBW-Aufsichtsratsvorsitzenden Elisabeth Freismuth, der Direktorin des Jüdischen Museums Wien, Barbara Staudinger, sowie Wien-Holding-Geschäftsführerin Karin Ramser – entschied sich einstimmig für Pier und hob insbesondere ihre Doppelkompetenz im öffentlichen Kultursektor und in der Privatwirtschaft hervor.

Pier war in den vergangenen fünf Jahren als Managing Director maßgeblich für das Projekt Kulturhauptstadt Chemnitz 2025 verantwortlich und zuvor zwei Jahrzehnte in unterschiedlichen leitenden Funktionen beim Musical- und Theaterkonzern Stage Entertainment tätig. Dort leitete sie unter anderem das traditionsreiche Theater des Westens in Berlin und verantwortete das Tourgeschäft. Mit Blick auf die Sparvorgaben in Wien verweist sie auf ihre Erfahrung im privatwirtschaftlichen Umfeld: Entscheidend sei, „die richtigen Weichen zu stellen, um weiterhin die künstlerische Exzellenz hochzuhalten“. An der internen Budgetverteilung zwischen Oper und Musical sieht sie derzeit keinen Änderungsbedarf und kündigt an, vorerst auf Kontinuität zu setzen.

Trotz zusätzlicher Konkurrenz durch das im Bau befindliche private „Theater im Prater“ zeigt sich Pier gelassen. Wichtiger als strukturelle Eingriffe sei für sie ein klarer künstlerischer Kurs, den sie mit „großem Tatendrang“ ab Dezember in Wien verfolgen will. Für die Stadt markiert ihre Bestellung auch eine personelle Weichenstellung: Vizebürgermeisterin Barbara Novak und Kulturstadträtin Veronica Kaup-Hasler, die Pier im Ronacher gemeinsam mit Wien-Holding-Chefin Ramser präsentierten, betonten die Bedeutung ihrer langjährigen Musical- und Managementerfahrung für die künftige Positionierung der Vereinigten Bühnen Wien im internationalen Wettbewerb.