JEDDAH: Qatar Airways has been named "Airline of the Year" at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards 2011 for its outstanding inflight product and operational excellence. Through the prestigious award, Qatar Airways' global ranking among more than 200 international airlines rose to the world's top position – up from third spot last year – further cementing its stature as a world leading airline. Qatar Airways beat stiff competition from four Asian carriers in the category to clinch the honor in front of global aviation industry executives. The awards are selected by the airline's most important audience – its customers. More than 18 million passengers worldwide were polled during the annual Skytrax awards. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker collected the award, together with two other accolades, at a ceremony today during Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget near the French capital. Qatar Airways, which remains one of a select-few carriers with a Skytrax Five Star ranking for service excellence, also claimed the "Best Middle East Airline" for the sixth consecutive year, emphasising the airline's competitiveness and dominance in a region boasting several world-class airlines. The airline also received the accolade "Best First Class Lounge" for its Premium Terminal at the carrier's Doha hub - a facility for exclusive use by Qatar Airways' First and Business Class passengers. The award also ranks the Five Star carrier's Premium Terminal as the best in the world's top three terminals by the respected leading aviation industry audit, Skytrax.
