Qatar Airways has been named among the top three airlines
in the world at the latest Skytrax World Airline Awards 2010.
The honour was among several awards that the airline
collected at a ceremony in the northern German port city of Hamburg. Qatar
Airways’ global ranking among more than 200 international airlines rose to
number three in the world - up from fourth spot last year - further
cementing its stature as a world leading airline.
Qatar Airways Vice President Commercial Europe Paul
Johannes, pictured left, collects one of several accolades on behalf of the
airline at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards held in Germany. Skytrax
Chief Executive Officer Edward Plaisted is seen presenting the award.
Qatar Airways, which remains one of a select-few carriers
with a Skytrax Five Star ranking, also claimed the World’s Best Business
Class award in one of the most hotly contested categories. The airline’s
Business Class catering was recognised separately as the best in the world.
The Doha-based carrier earned the title Best Airline in
the Middle East for a fifth consecutive year, emphasising Qatar Airways’
competitiveness and dominance in a region boasting several world-class
airlines.
Qatar Airways also became the first airline to receive
the Staff Service Excellence Award for the Middle East. The new award
replaces the Best Cabin Staff in the Middle East category, which Qatar
Airways has won for the past seven years. The expanded category now includes
airline staff at all passenger touch points, including onboard,
reservations, check-in and airport personnel.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said
the awards were fantastic recognition for the continued dedication of the
airline’s staff to consistently deliver the best service levels in the
industry.
Qatar Airways’ service with a smile.
“It is extremely gratifying to be honoured with these
achievements, which recognise the outstanding efforts of our employees in
the air and on the ground, as we look to offer the highest levels of service
and consistency across all levels of our operation,” said Al Baker.
“I have been saying for years that Qatar Airways’
Business Class rivals the First Class of many other airlines, and the
World’s Best Business Class award is clear validation of that claim.
“To be considered among the top three airlines in the
world is a huge achievement for Qatar Airways and takes us one step closer
to our collective goal of being recognised at the best airline in the world.
Clearly, we are heading in the right direction,” he added.
Qatar Airways Vice President Commercial Europe Paul
Johannes was in Hamburg to collect the awards on behalf of the airline.
“It is with great pride that I am collecting a host of
awards from one of the leading airline industry auditors - and this is
clearly a high point in my career with the company,” said Johannes.
Skytrax Chief Executive Officer Edward Plaisted said
Qatar Airways continued to impress with its high global standards.
“This has been an excellent year for Qatar Airways.
Operating in one of the most competitive global markets for high quality
airlines, winning the Best Airline Middle East title for 2010 is a worthy
achievement, and continues their success in this category.
“Qatar Airways received the first ever Staff Service
Excellence Award for the Middle East. This replaces the Best Cabin Staff
category of earlier years, and represents a much wider achievement - this
Service Excellence Award recognising airlines that deliver the highest
standards of staff service not only onboard the flight, but also at the home
base airport.
“The World Airline Awards are known as ‘The Passenger’s
Choice’, underlining the fact that Qatar Airways are clearly satisfying the
hardest critics - their users,” added Plaisted.
Almost 18 million air travellers from over 100 different
nationalities took part in the 10-month long survey, between July 2009 and
April 2010. The awards are recognised around the world for being the only
global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards.
