MUSCAT -- Muscat International Airport was ranked fourth among airports in the Middle East for the quality of its service in a survey conducted by the industry body Airports Council International (ACI). The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey identified the top performing airports based on their service quality during 2007. Muscat International Airport's ranking in fourth position signifies the efficiency levels achieved by Oman Air, the sole service provider for Muscat International Airport, the national carrier said in a press statement.
According to Oman Air's Corporate Communications and Media Department, the Geneva-based Airports Council International is the only global trade representative of the world's airports. ACI was established in 1991 and counts 580 members operating over 1640 airports, which collectively handle around 96 per cent of the world's air passengers, in 175 countries and territories.
The survey evaluated customer service standards at 99 world airports by questioning some 200,000 passengers on 34 airport service factors. These factors included airport access/navigation and connectivity, airport services/facilities, security and immigration, airport environment, arrival services, value for money and overall satisfaction with the airport and airline services.
Hamood bin Mohammed al Bahlani, Oman Air's Divisional Manager Services Delivery, stated that Oman Air has been playing a significant role in ensuring that customers' expectations using Muscat International Airport are met, according to the highest international standards. "We are extremely pleased not only to be recognised for our quality services, but also to be once again internationally recognised for our customer service efforts.
This clearly vindicates every member of our staff's ongoing commitment and endeavour to maintaining the highest level of services at Muscat International Airport," Al Bahlani said. Earlier, IATA had recognised Oman Air as an accredited member of AHS 1000, for compliance with IATA/AHM 804 measurement of service delivery standards and since 1997. According to Corporate Communications and Media, the carrier is the first ground handler in the Gulf region to achieve this recognition. Airport Handling Standard 1000 (AHS 1000) is a dominant quality measurement and control system introduced by experts of airline industry, in compliance with IATA AHM 804 for ground handling agents of airlines.
By A Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
