Qatar Airways honoured in Skytrax 2006 awards

The Doha-based carrier, which last year was ranked 8th saw its improved ratings while also walking off with the Best Airline In The Middle East award.

For the fourth year running Qatar Airways' cabin crew have been voted Best In The Middle East, with their worldwide ranking up sharply from fifth to second in this year's accolades, as recognised by the independent aviation industry monitoring agency.

Already ranked by Skytrax as a Five Star carrier, Qatar Airways was also recognised by the same organisation earlier this year with an Inflight Service Consistency Award.

Qatar Airways has held onto the coveted Five Star award for excellence, service and high standards, being the only Middle East carrier and one of the four airlines in the world - to earn such an illustrious accolade.

Based largely on the quality of service standards, the Skytrax awards recognise different levels of an airline's operation, based on passenger feedback.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker described the latest accolades as a tribute to all the employees of the company.

Beaming with delight, he said: " Yet again, Qatar Airways has excelled in delivering the highest levels of service and maintaining the high standards that we are recognised for around the world.

"Our global ratings are rising year on year and we are well on target to reach our ultimate goal of becoming the best airline in the world. To be recognised as the Best Airline in the Middle East is a great achievement, but to win the vote for Best Cabin Crew in the region for the fourth year running and see our global ranking rise from fifth last year to second, is news that all airlines would aspire towards."

Added Al Baker: "All credit goes to our staff around the world for their dedication in helping make Qatar Airways what it is today. Just a few years ago we were a small regional player. Now we have grown into a truly international airline thanks to the support of our passengers."

News of the latest awards follows Qatar Airways recently being named Airline of the Year in Dubai at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards.

Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of 47 all-Airbus aircraft to 70 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and Far East. The airline, which is based in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, plans to more than double its fleet size to 110 aircraft by 2015, making it one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.