For the ninth consecutive year, Etihad Airways has been named the "Middle East’s Leading Airline" at the World Travel Awards Middle East.

The prestigious gala ceremony was held last night at the Four Seasons Resort in Dubai.

In addition to the coveted accolade, Etihad Airways also scooped awards for "Middle East’s Leading Airline - First Class", and "Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew".

Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted that travel industry professionals across the region have once again voted us as the Middle East’s leading airline.

“2014 was a momentous year for Etihad Airways. With the introduction of our new A380 and B787 flagship aircraft, we launched the most luxurious and innovative cabins in the sky, ushering in a new era of reimagined flying.

“These accolades are testament to the hard work of our employees, the support of the travel and tourism industry, and the unwavering loyalty of our guests.”

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to celebrate excellence in travel and tourism, with industry professionals and travel consumers voting for the winners, and have been described as the Oscars of the travel industry by the Wall Street Journal. Winners are initially selected at six regional ceremonies, including the Middle East event, followed by a year-end global finale.

Speaking at the ceremony, World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “Congratulations to Etihad Airways for being voted the Middle East’s Leading Airline for the ninth consecutive year by the voters here at World Travel Awards. With the addition to its fleet of both the Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A380, home to The Residence by Etihad, in the past 12 months, it is little wonder the UAE’s national airline has been selected for the accolade once again in 2015.
 
“We wish Etihad Airways every success and look forward to welcoming them to the World Travel Awards Grand Final later this year, where they will defend the coveted title of World’s Leading Airline.”
 
World Travel Awards collected ballots from 609,000 voters from across the travel industry in 2014.
 
Cooke presented the awards to Etihad Airways’ vice president guest services Linda Celestino, vice president guest experience Calum Laming, commercial projects manager – guest experience Turky AlHammadi and marketing manager Abdulrahman Al-Hadhrami. - -TradeArabia News Service