Carrier Trumps Again At Middle East North Africa (MENA) Travel Awards
Qatar Duty Free Named Best Duty Free Operator In Middle East And North Africa
Qatar Tourism Authority Wins Best Tourism Board Award In Region
Recognition Timely Ahead Of New Flights To United States
Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Qatar Airways once again proved its dominance in the Middle East aviation industry by swooping the Best Airline award for the second year running, at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards in Dubai.
The award was picked up by Qatar Airways General Manager Commercial Ali Al Rais on behalf of the airline at a glittering ceremony, held at the city's Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel, which also saw the airline's subsidiary Qatar Duty Free win the Best (Platinum) Duty Free Operator Award in the region. The award was collected by Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari.
To round off an evening of triumph and celebration, Qatar Tourism Authority received the region's best tourism board award.
The awards night, attended by representatives covering the entire spectrum of the region's travel industry - airlines, hotels, car rental companies, travel agents and tour operators - is one of the most prestigious in the travel industry calendar.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, Akbar Al Baker, impressed with the airline's latest award, said it was an added boost ahead of Qatar Airways' new flights to the United States this summer.
"This award comes at an important time in our expansion, just weeks before we set foot in the United States with our inaugural flights to New York on June 28 and Washington DC on July 19," said Al Baker, who is also CEO of Qatar Duty Free.
"With Geneva and Stockholm also in the pipeline this year, awards like this only reinforce the message that Qatar Airways is becoming an airline of choice for passengers in the region and, indeed, around the world."
"I am delighted that Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Duty Free have again been recognised at this year's awards, which only goes to show that the tourism industry in Qatar is truly making a huge impact in the region."
Ali Ali Rais added: "Winning Best Airline in the Middle East is a wonderful accolade for the airline, which has worked tirelessly in its ambitious efforts to expand into one of the world's best airlines. Retaining the award reflects the measures Qatar Airways has taken to maintain its status as a leading international airline.
"This acknowledgement further enhances Qatar Airways' importance in the aviation and travel industry, especially given the competition in this region."
The recognition caps a successful few days in Dubai for Qatar Airways, which made a big impression at the region's biggest travel trade show - Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The airline used the opportunity at ATM to showcase its forthcoming route launches to New York and Washington DC. US-themed entertainment on the Qatar Airways stand was the highlight of the airline's participation at ATM. The two new routes represent Qatar Airways' first moves on the North American continent, and are part of a massive expansion plan already underway for 2007.
Earlier this year Qatar Airways announced a massive expansion plan, which included the launch of nine new destinations in 2007.
Qatar Airways' new routes for 2007: -
Lagos - 3 flights a week
Dar es Salaam - DAILY
Chennai - DAILY
Bali - 4 flights a week
Ho Chi Minh City - 4 flights a week
Geneva - 4 flights a week from June 28
New York - 4 flights a week from June 28
Washington - DAILY from July 19
Stockholm - 4 flights a week from November 2007
-Ends-
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world flying to 75 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Far East with a modern fleet of 57 all-Airbus aircraft. The airline is one of only five in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways' cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fourth year running in 2006 and second best worldwide following a survey of more than 12 million passengers worldwide.
Qatar Airways plans to acquire 80 Airbus A350s and 22 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter beginning in November 2007.
The airline is a launch customer of the twin-deck Airbus A380 'super jumbos' with four aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from 2009 to coincide with the opening of the New Doha International Airport. For more information, visit www.ndiaproject.com
About MENA
The Middle East and North Africa Travel Awards recognise excellence in the travel and hospitality industries, in over 70 categories, including awards for hotels, airlines, spas (separately located or within hotels), golf clubs, car rental, duty free, conference & convention locations and tourism projects. The winners are selected online by over 92,000 end users and travel and trade agencies across the region. The MENA Travel Awards are recognised as one of the most significant in the Middle East and North Africa region.
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(PLEASE NOTE: Select Images And Open On Desktop)
FTP URL: ftp://ftp.qatarairways.com.qa
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For further information
Salam Al Shawa
Senior Manager
Marketing & Communications,
Qatar Airways
Tel: +974 4496956,
Fax: +974 4620132
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com
Lisa George
ASDA'A PR, Dubai
Tel: 0097143355969.
E-mail: l.george@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2007
