STAFF at Southampton Airport’s largest plane operator will be feeling sky-high after their firm joined an exclusive jet set by receiving prestigious global recognition.

Flybe scooped the 2009 Regional Airline of the Year Award from the world’s biggest industry publication, making it only the second British company to win the contest in its 35-year history.

Judges praised the airline – Europe’s largest regional carrier – for its “strong commitment to safety and operational integrity” and its impressive business growth strategy.

The recognition from US-based Air Transport World (ATW) is the eighth award Flybe has picked up in the last seven months.

Chairman and chief executive officer Jim French said he was delighted his company, which was the only UK-based airline to be praised at the awards, had received such a “fantastic honour”.

“ATW is the industry ‘bible’ and for a British airline to win this award in the country that pioneered regional aviation is a tremendous achievement,” he said.