World's largest passenger survey names Gulf Air as most improved airline

Skytrax, which polled the views of 10,821,215 air travellers between June 2003 and March 2004, made the award to Gulf Air in recognition of, "the dramatic changes that have been achieved in the last two years, and the manner with which Gulf Air is now re-establishing as a force across the Middle East."

Peter Miller of Skytrax said: "Quality improvement is not an overnight process but we have seen such clear evidence of real change within Gulf Air that there was no viable challenge for this Award category."

As well as the major category win, Gulf Air was named as providing the world's Best First Class Onboard Catering and came third in the Best First Class Lounge in the World category, with its new lounge in Bahrain. Its new premium check-in at Bahrain was voted third in the Best First Class Check-In Facilities in the World category.

The airline was also named as having the Best Business Class Check-In Facilities and was named second in the Best Business Class Lounge in the World category.

James Hogan, chief executive of Gulf Air, said: "This is real recognition of the progress made by the staff and management of Gulf Air, by the people who matter most: our passengers.

"Gulf Air has introduced a wide range of world-leading initiatives in the last twelve months, from five-star chefs in the first class cabin, to Sky Nannies on long-haul services, to our new business and first class ground facilities at major airports on the network.

"Our passengers are clearly seeing a major difference and we are incredibly proud to receive this award."

The Skytrax Airline Survey is the global measure of passengers' opinions. It is the only truly global survey, targeting more than 90 passenger nationalities. The survey sample for this year's awards marks an increase of more than six million completed questionnaires over the 2002/2003 survey.

The Skytrax awards are the latest in a series of high-profile wins for Gulf Air. The airline won the Airline Turnaround of the Year Award from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in 2003, and a nomination as a Superbrand in the United Arab Emirates. Gulf Air also received the top honour of a platinum award for the Best Middle East and North Africa Airline at the 2004 Arabian Travel Market's MENA Travel Awards.