Emirates named Airline of the Year |14 February 2011

As its president Tim Clark received the award at a gala dinner in Washington DC, he said: “The last few years have been among the most demanding in our industry’s history but despite the challenges, we have kept our focus on delivering the very highest standards of product, passenger comfort and operational efficiency.

“This recognition is testament to our commitment to innovation and service excellence as we continue to grow our global network and offer customers more opportunities to discover the world from Dubai.”

Perry Flint, editorial director of Air Transport World, said: “Customers have a choice to fly Emirates, given that more than 125 airlines serve Dubai. The route network appeals to travellers not only in the UAE but also to those in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America who value the efficiency and connectivity of the Dubai hub.

“A cornerstone of EK's success has been a relentless drive for cabin innovation, not just in premium class but in economy.

“The decision to name Emirates Airline of the Year is in recognition of its strong commitment to safety and operational excellence, its trendsetting customer service and its superb financial performance, including a 22-year consecutive annual profit streak.”

Since starting up in 1985, Emirates has grown into one of the largest and most dynamic airlines in the world, transforming Dubai into a world-class hub for global air travel.

A press release from Emirates said the airline is a leader in developing flexible air routes that save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These advances, combined with a host of other achievements have resulted in more than 400 international awards recognising the airline in almost every category.

Some of Emirates’ pioneering innovations include becoming the first airline to introduce individual seat-back videos and to enable passengers to make authorised onboard mobile phone calls, it added.

And Emirates' flagship A380s are the only commercial aircraft to feature onboard shower spas for first class passengers.

The airline has experienced growth above 20% a year on average. Financially self-sustained and unprotected, Emirates carried 27.5 million passengers in the 2009-10 financial year – almost 4.7 million more than in the previous 12 months.

Emirates now flies to 110 cities in 66 countries across Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia-Pacific.

So far this year, it has launched a new route to Basra, Iraq, on February 2 and will start new services to Geneva on June 1 and Copenhagen on August 1. It has also increased the number of weekly flights to Seychelles.