Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) - Hong Kong's flag-carrier airline - has dropped out of the list of Asia's top 10 competitive airlines, according to the latest report of World Airline Rankings released on Friday.

The SAR carrier had topped the list in last year's "Top 10 Competitive Asian Airlines" rankings.

"We've seen greater competition in the Asia Pacific region, with Hong Kong's competitors having done the most incredible job in the past year in delivering better services. The thing is that a company must move forward or it'll fall behind," said Gui Qiangfang, chairperson of the World Air Stewardess Association.

Singapore Airlines came first in the "World's Most Popular Airlines" category, while Air New Zealand was voted the world's safest airline this year.

The association referred to an incident earlier this month in which a steward on a CPA flight suffered a stroke and died. Gui said she believes that better safety education should be given to the airline's crew members.

American Airlines ranked first in the "Top 10 Comprehensive Competitive Air Carriers" category for the second consecutive year, while Air China moved up one rank to be among the top three for the first time.

Gui pointed out that the Chinese mainland's "national team" has successfully brought new aircraft models to its service queue and has optimized its regulations.

As for airports, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was voted the world's best airport, followed by Seoul's Incheon International Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport.

The association cited HKIA's "outstanding management and performance in infrastructure maintenance, security assuring, and cargo and passenger handling".

Yabana Katerine of LAB-Lioyd Aero Bolivia - the flag carrier of Bolivia - won the "Most Friendly Stewardess" award.

selena@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 05/16/2015 page6)