Etihad Airways' Vice President wins top aviation award

The awards are hosted by the Trustees of the Indian Institute of Economic Studies and recognise excellence in specific sectors of industry. The ceremony took place recently at the India International Centre in New Delhi.

The Honourable Shri Bhisham Narain Singh presented the award to Vijay at the ceremony which was also attended by Lalit Mansingh, the former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to US and UAE and Amolak Rattan Kohli, former Governor of Mizoram.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive, said:

"This latest award continues a very impressive year for Etihad Airways and adds to our growing collection of awards which recognises the strength and depth of our talented workforce. Our congratulations go to Vijay for winning this prestigious award."

Vijay is the Vice Chairman of the ICAO Special Committee on Aviation Security Conventions and a member of the Industry Affairs Committee of the International Air Transport Association. He joined Etihad Airways in August 2005 and was promoted to VP international affairs in May 2008.

Vijay Poonoosamy said: "To win this Udyog Rattan award is a very proud moment for me and very humbling given the other distinguished people who have won the award before me. I look forward to sharing the award with my colleagues at Etihad and to build on this great achievement."

The Udyog Rattan award is the latest in a series of top accolades that the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has won this year. These include 'airline of the year' at the British Travel Awards and the Middle East's 'leading airline', 'leading first class' and 'leading travel website' at the 2008 World Travel Awards.

Etihad has also won 'best cabin staff' and 'best economy class' awards at the Business Traveller Middle East awards and 'best website' at the 2008 Pan Arab Web awards.

Etihad was also named by Skytrax as one of the top ten airlines in the world's largest independent survey of air travellers, a huge achievement for an airline which has been flying for just five years.