AIRLINES, airports and individuals from the Middle East were honoured at the Leaders in Aviation Awards at the second Doha Aviation Summit.
Among the winners were Air Arabia, named as Low Cost Carrier of the Year, Abu Dhabi Airports Company which took the award for the Green Initiative of the Year by an Airport, and Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways who was honoured for his long term contribution to the economic growth of Qatar.
Air Arabia was the first low-cost airline in the region and remains the largest, with nearly 50 destinations and a large order book of new aircraft. As well as being the first airline to introduce no-frills, value-for-money air travel in the region, it was the first to start e-ticketing and was one of the most profitable airlines in its category during the worst financial crisis of modern times.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company has made significant inroads into sustainable airport operations and development. A waste management and recycling programme aims to reduce consumption and recycle 25 per cent of all wastes. In 2009 the airport launched a ‘turn it off’ campaign to curb the wasteful use of water and power.
Just as Akbar Al Baker’s name is synonymous with Qatar Airways, so the airline is a byword for Qatar’s ambitious growth plans. It embodies the state of Qatar’s quality-driven strategy and only recently won a string of top international awards.
“Honouring achievers and awarding individuals and organisations across a range of categories in the aviation sector, the Leaders in Aviation Awards highlights success stories of the highest order,” said Nicholas Watson, aviation director for naseba, which organises the summit. “From success stories that span practices and innovation, including corporate achievements, the strongest individual efforts and the most compelling community efforts, The Leaders in Aviation Awards recognise, promote and reward excellence in the most exciting industry in the world.
“The growth of the aviation industry in the Middle East has been nothing short of revolutionary, both in itself and in its impact on the wider economy. That astonishing record is reflected in the number of awards recognising players in this region’s industry.”