Doha, QATAR – Qatar Duty Free has given away US$1 million for the sixth time following its latest Millionaire Draw held at Doha International Airport.
The winner, Ms Raneeba Pudiyaveettil Kayanayil, an Indian national from Kerala, purchased the lucky ticket while en route to Kochi. Raneeba made a spur-of-the-moment decision while walking past the Qatar Duty Free ticket counter at Doha International Airport during her transit. It was the first time she had participated in the draw.
“I was just passing through and I decided to buy a ticket – just like that,” said Raneeba. She went on to say that she and her husband will use part of the massive winnings to expand their business in Malaysia. They also plan to donate some of the money to charity.
Raneeba’s win makes her Qatar Duty Free’s sixth US Dollar Millionaire in the popular draw. Launched in May 2006, each draw is restricted to 5,000 tickets. Every ticket bought stands a one in 5,000 chance of winning the million dollars. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets for USD 263 or QAR 950 each.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that the popularity of the millionaire dollar draw was increasing with the latest winner becoming the second millionaire of 2010.
“The Qatar Duty Free Company Million Dollar Draw is an exciting attraction for duty free shoppers at Doha International Airport. I offer my personal congratulations to Ms Kayanayil on being the lucky winner of the latest draw,” said Al Baker.
Raneeba collected her cheque in person at Doha International Airport prior to Qatar Duty Free conducting another draw – this time a raffle to give away a Jaguar XJ luxury car. Mr. Aref Khashabi was the lucky winner in this latest draw, which has seen over 80 luxury cars given away in the past few years.
Earlier this year, Qatar Duty Free was awarded the top prize at the 2010 Duty Free News International (DFNI) Awards for Travel Retail Excellence, winning the title Travel Retailer of the Year 2010. Celebrating 10 years of operations, Qatar Duty Free Company continues its impressive growth, having recently expanded its operations at Doha International Airport and more than doubling the shopping space at Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal.
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is proud to be Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways has been awarded World’s Best Airline, World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports teams including FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally