World travel industry elects Dubai International Airport as the Leading Airport in the World and Middle East

The 12th World Travel Awards announced in London's Royal Opera House this year saw Dubai International Airport bag two awards - Middle East's Leading Airport for the seventh time in succession since 1998, and World's Leading Airport for the third time.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of Emirates Group, commented:

"Our vision is to have a world class airport which will sustain Dubai's growth as the aviation hub of the World in the years to come. The World Travel Award reiterates the challenges that we have to meet by maintaining and ensuring delivery of the highest standards of service at all time. Travellers' comfort and satisfaction is always a central commitment of the Department of Civil Aviation."

Going from strength to strength each year, the prestigious World Travel Awards are especially coveted because, uniquely, the votes are cast globally by fellow professionals - travel agents within the travel industry. The World Travel Awards established in 1993 were set up for the express purpose of acknowledging and celebrating the massive achievements in all areas of the world's tourism industry. Candidates for nomination are based upon the previous year's voting. Voting is cast by travel agents in over 200 countries around the world.

To date Dubai International Airport has won four awards in 2005 and a total of 36 awards since 1996.