HONG KONG, China – Qatar Airways has been voted Best Middle East Airline by readers of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific in China.
The Doha-based carrier has been recognised for the fourth consecutive year at the high-profile 22nd Annual Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards, held on September 27th at the Conrad Hotel, in Hong Kong.
The awards, which are awarded in 56 categories, are the highest honour given by Business Traveller readers to travel and hospitality service providers. Readers of the publication, amoung the region’s most frequent travelers, participated in the survey, conducted by Ipsos from April to June, 2013 to determine the winners.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the award is a meaningful form of recognition from customers in this region and showed their continued confidence in Qatar Airways over the last decade.
“Over the last ten years, our services to Hong Kong and mainland China have been on a steady incline. Just last month we launched our sixth destination, Chengdu, and are already looking towards further expansion,” said Al Baker.
“We are pleased to be recognised by our passengers for the products and services that we offer, not only in China but throughout our network. To be voted the Best Airline in the Middle East by our customers is a great honour. And for that we thank our passengers in this region for their vote of confidence.
“Over the next few months, we look forward to adding even more routes to our international network of over 130 destinations as well as increasing the capacity on existing sectors. We are continually looking to give our customers increased options as they travel, whether it is for business or leisure.”
Qatar Airways Country Manager Greater China Jared Lee, who accepted the award on behalf of the airline said: “It is a great pleasure to accept this award on behalf of Qatar Airways from such an important travel publication. The airline is pleased with this recognition from its readers.”
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 131 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.
In 2013, Qatar Airways has launched nine destinations to date – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra (Iraq), Sulaymaniyah (Iraq), Chengdu (China), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and most recently Ta’if (Saudi Arabia).
Over the next few weeks and months, the network will grow further with Clark Manila International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, USA (April 2, 2014).
For images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/sets/72157636002343853/
Notes to Editors:
Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France in June. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. The airline has also been named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways has also twice been the recipient of the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry. Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. On 30 October 2013, Qatar Airways will join the oneworld global alliance. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 44302072, Fax: +974 44302069
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com