For the sixth year running, the Doha-based carrier retained the title at the TTG Asia Travel Awards ceremony held in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok.
Readers of the prestigious magazine based their voting on the strength of the airline’s customer service, its route network, services and its marketing and advertising programmes.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the latest award was a reflection of the airline’s continued investment in delivering the best to its customers.
“We are constantly working to expand our route network to offer our customers optimal connections to destinations all over the world, whether travelling for leisure or business,” he said.
“Once again readers of the esteemed travel trade title TTG Asia have given Qatar Airways the vote of confidence – for the sixth year running. This clearly demonstrates the hard work, dedication and effort that employees across Qatar Airways puts into their jobs to ensure customers have a memorable experience.
“Qatar Airways is proud of its high levels of service and outstanding products and to be recognised by travellers and travel professionals is a great honour.”
Added Al Baker: “2011 has been an historic year of milestones for Qatar Airways with the 100th aircraft joining our fleet, the 100th destination introduced into our global network and being named Airline of the Year.
“We operate in one of the most competitive and dynamic markets, so we always work to ensure our customers have the best experience flying with us and one that they will always remember.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Marwan Koleilat, who accepted the award on behalf of the airline, said: “The TTG Asia Awards are attended by some of the industry’s most renowned travel personalities, making it a very special event in the region’s travel industry calendar. Winning this award is further testament to Qatar Airways’ success and growing popularity.”
So far this year, Qatar Airways has added 12 destinations to its international map – Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels, Stuttgart, Aleppo, Shiraz, Venice, Montreal, Medina, Kolkata, Sofia and Oslo – and is gearing up for more route expansion with a further two destinations – Entebbe and Chongqing – being inducted into the network by the end of November.
Many of the new routes offer excellent connections for travellers from across Asia via the airline’s Doha hub.
Qatar Airways’ October – February 2012 route expansion highlights are:
| New routes: | ||
| OSLO, Norway | October 5 | 5 flights a week |
| ENTEBBE, Uganda | November 2 | Daily non-stop flights |
| CHONGQING, China | November 28 | 3 flights a week |
| BAKU, Azerbaijan | February 1 | Daily non-stop flights |
| TBILISI, Georgia | February 1 | Daily via Baku |
Qatar Airways has orders worth over US$ 40 billion for more than 200 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s, A320 Family of aircraft and Bombardier corporate jets. The rapid expansion of Qatar Airways prompted the State of Qatar to embark on one of its biggest projects – the construction of a brand new international airport in Doha, which is scheduled to open in 2012.
Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry. In addition to winning Skytrax’s prestigious Airline of the Year 2011 award during the summer, Qatar Airways was named Best Airline in the Middle East for the sixth year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport was named Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Qatar Airways Group Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 44496956, Fax: +974 44620132
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com