Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Qatar Airways has
claimed yet further key international awards, winning three accolades at
two glittering award ceremonies in Dubai.
The Doha-based carrier retained its Leading Business
Class Airline in the Middle East title as voted by travel industry
professionals in the prestigious World Travel Awards, an honour that the
airline has now held for five consecutive years.
Qatar Airways Country Manager UAE Mohamed El Emam
(left) receives one of two awards on behalf of the airline at the annual
World Travel Awards in Dubai. With him is David Falcon, Senior Vice
President World Travel Awards.
The airline’s innovative exclusive Premium Terminal
for First and Business Class passengers at Doha International Airport
was named Leading Airport Lounge in the Middle East. The two awards were
presented at a ceremony held at The Address in Dubai Marina where
acclaimed international singer Nancy Ajram was the star performer of the
night.
At a separate ceremony organised by Business
Traveller Middle East for travel industry professionals held at the
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Qatar Airways took home the airline
award for Best Economy Class in the Middle East for the second year
running.
Readers of the monthly magazine based their voting on
cabin comfort and in-flight service. The airline, which offers superior
space with an Economy seat pitch of up to 34 inches - above the industry
norm - recently began introducing seat back entertainment across its
cabins on the new Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
The British Embassy Consul General in Dubai Guy
Warrington presented the evening’s awards and the latest accolades
demonstrate Qatar Airways’ commitment to offering the travelling public
with unrivalled levels of in-flight service.
Updesh Kapur (left) of Qatar Airways’ Corporate
Communications Department is presented with the Best Economy Class in
the Middle East award at a ceremony in Dubai organised by the magazine
Business Traveller.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker
said, “Most airlines invest heavily in developing their premium cabins
and, while we continue to do this, Qatar Airways strives to innovate in
Economy Class ensuring our high standards are maintained and passenger
expectations are exceeded worldwide.”
The awards coincided with Arabian Travel Market - the
Middle East’s premier travel trade event - taking place in Dubai where
Qatar Airways is participating with a prominent exhibition stand.
More than 400 leading figures from across the
regional and international travel and tourism industry attended both
events.
Al Baker added, “Winning the Leading Business Class
category five years in a row and Leading Airport Lounge once again
proves that we have an outstanding product, which continues to convince
travel industry professionals and our customers year on year.
“These are great achievements for the airline and
show that we clearly deliver an ultimate in-flight experience which our
customers appreciate. Our exclusive Premium Terminal is the world’s only
dedicated commercial passenger terminal for First and Business Class
passengers - and winning again just four years after its opening
reflects the importance we place on service delivery.
“Our passengers travelling in Economy also have an
unrivalled experience and we are extremely delighted to have won over
the travelling public for our high service standards in the Economy
cabins.”
The World Travel Awards were conceived in 1993 to
acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism
industry. Now in their 17th year, travel professionals and discerning
travellers have come to regard the World Travel Awards as the very best
endorsement that a travel product can hope to receive.
Dubai-based Business Traveller Middle East is a
prestigious monthly travel magazine, part of a global franchise of
similar publications worldwide dedicated to frequent travellers.
Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of 82
aircraft to 89 diverse cities across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia
Pacific and North America. The airline has over 200 aircraft pending
delivery with the orders worth more than US$40 billion.
