Dubai,Feb. 15th, 2007 (WAM)--- Readers of the prestigious US-based GlobalTraveler magazine have voted Qatar Airways Best Airline in the MiddleEast - a fitting accolade in a year when the Doha-based airline preparesto launch flights to America.
The airline was awarded the honor after readers participated in the survey,which ran in the magazine over a seven-month period from February 2006to August 2006. Qatar Airways picked up the prestigious award at the Jumeirah Essex Housein New York, where Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler,honored all the winners at a gala ceremony. This summer, Qatar Airways will enter the US market for the first timewith scheduled flights between Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, andAmerica's financial capital of New York City. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker expressed his delightat the latest award in a market which the airline was preparing to enterwith vigor."Considering that Qatar Airways has not yet even started flying to theUnited States, we are delighted to receive this highly prestigious awardfrom readers of Global Traveler," he said.
"I would like to thank the readers of Global Traveler for this wonderfulaward. It demonstrates that the American public is well traveled to allparts of the world and for a young and rapidly developing airline to berecognized as the Best in the Middle East is a wonderful recognition ofour achievements. "We strive to be the best in what we do and our standards are alreadyamong the best in the world. Qatar Airways is extremely honored and looksforward to taking our Five Star service to the US market this summer."Qatar Airways has entered 2007 in buoyant mood celebrating the 10th anniversaryof its relaunch with nine new destinations planned during the year. Darussalam, the commercial and financial centre of Tanzania, becamethe newest addition to Qatar Airways' family of routes when direct non-stopservices were launched to the city on January 9. During 2007, Qatar Airways also plans to add Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai,Ahmadabad, Lagos and two cities in eastern and northern Europe. With agrowing international network, Al Baker added that more travelers wouldhave an opportunity to use Qatar Airways' brand new Premium Terminal atDoha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and BusinessClass passengers. The Premium Terminal features facilities such as a spa, jacuzzi, dutyfree, business centre and fine dining restaurants. Built in just ninemonths, the terminal is the world's first commercial passenger buildingdedicated to First and Business Class passengers. Francis X. Gallagher added: "Our readers have recognized Qatar Airwaysand other winners in the annual awards as the cream of the crop. I wouldlike to congratulate all our winners for their achievements in the worldof travel and the work they do that puts them a step ahead of the competition."
