On the same evening as the carrier's fifth anniversary celebration, Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, won the World Travel Award for Best LCC in the Middle East and North Africa. The event took place at the prestigious Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, as part of a star-studded evening of festivities. The award was presented to Air Arabia in recognition of its massive contribution to the low-cost travel industry in the UAE and the wider region. “We are delighted to have been named ‘Best Low-Cost Carrier in the Middle East and North Africa,' on our fifth anniversary. This award is a reflection of our continued commitment to quality, operational excellence and competitively priced fares,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia. “Air Arabia attributes this award to our 10 million plus passengers from across the Gulf and the wider world, who have flown with us since our inception in 2003, he added.” The World Travel Award comes on the heels of international recognition of the carrier's outstanding operational performance. Hailed as the Oscars of the travel industry by the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements to be found in all sectors of the global travel industry. Winners are decided by votes received from agents and travel professionals in the Middle East and throughout the world. The event was established 15 years ago and encourages greater quality, value and, above all, exceptional customer experience spanning every sector and region worldwide. Most recently, Air Arabia was named Best Low-Cost Airline in the Middle East and Africa at the prestigious Budgie Awards, part of the World Low-Cost Airlines Congress, held in London, UK. In May 2008, Air Arabia received the gold award in the best airline category at the MENA Travel Awards 2008.
