Gulf carriers fly high in world top 10 list

zoom

FLYING HIGH: Etihad has broken through into the top 10 airlines of the year, according to a new survey. (Getty Images)

Three of the biggest Middle Eastern airlines – Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways – are in the 2008 list of top 10 airlines.

Singapore Airlines was ranked first yet again, its third title in 10 years, according to the latest survey by Skytrax, a global air transport research organisation.

Qatar Airways, though it dropped to seventh this year from fourth last year, is still the highest ranked among the Gulf carriers.

The Doha-based airline also earned the title for Best Middle East Airline 2008 besides being voted the airline with the best cabin staff in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways made its first major impression on the list after coming in at number 10, having previously been ranked at 23 last year.

The survey said it was continuing its rapid expansion with new route openings and aircraft acquisitions, and was delivering a "high quality product and service offering to passengers".

Emirates maintained the same ranking as last year, placed ninth worldwide, while it also won praise for the best inflight entertainment concepts for the fourth year in succession.

Sharjah's low-cost carrier Air Arabia was voted as the best low-cost airline in the Middle East, with easyJet winning the competition internationally.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Time for Emirates to listen up!
Posted by robert, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 17 August 2008 at 10:35 UAE time


Emirates once number 1 now a consistant 9th and yet they continue to cut passenger comforts like foot rests in order to maximize profits rather than improving customer satisfaction! I also notice from the survey the food has gone downhill as well as the in-flight service but let's hear it for the award winning entertainment!

Subsidies, Subsidies, and More Subsidies
Posted by Trojan on Wednesday 13 August 2008 at 13:04 UAE time

Out of the airlines in the Middle East, I would say that Al Arabia is the best run and probably the one that will prove to be profitable over the long run. The rest are money-losing, over bloated, badly planned, ego-boosting show offs. Just a few weeks ago a report in Aviation Week revealed that Emirates has a utilization rate just under 70%. How can that be profitable or sustainable in a cut-throat business if it was not for government subsidies?

But I have to agree with the report, the entertainment systems and the on board service are excellent. I guess I will take advantage of it as long as someone else is paying for them.

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM