20 Sep 2016 08:00
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has been awarded the ‘Airline of the Year’ award for the third consecutive year by UK magazine, Travel Trade Gazette (TTG). The awards were announced last night at a prestigious ceremony at the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End.
The airline was nominated
in two categories - ‘Airline of the Year’
– and in a special category for ‘Travel Company of the Year’, where Etihad Airways
was the only airline mentioned. The entry
mechanism for the award was redesigned for 2016 as only the agents’ best-rated supplier
in each of the 15 categories was shortlisted.
James Harrison,
General Manager for Etihad Airways in the UK, said: “I am delighted that we have
won this prestigious award for the third time as it recognises the airline’s world-class product and
service, as well as our strong commercial relationships with
the trade.
“Additionally, the award
recognises the hard work that’s been put in, not just over the last 12 months,
but over a prolonged period. Alongside the introduction of Edinburgh and the expansion
of our A380’s into London, it has helped to increase our brand awareness with
the trade and our guests.”
Etihad Airways has a
long and established history of operating from the UK, having first launched
services from London to Abu Dhabi in 2004. The London Heathrow services are now
fully served by A380s and are home to ‘The Residence’ – the industry’s only
three room suite in the sky - and the airline’s award winning First Class
product.
Etihad’s economy
product has also been enhanced with café services, superior inflight
entertainment and nannies to assist young families, while the economy smart
seat has been specially designed to ensure optimum comfort.
As well as the London
services, the airline runs double-daily services from Manchester Airport to Abu
Dhabi and beyond, while the Edinburgh service has just celebrated a successful
first anniversary. The company operates dedicated Premium Lounges at the
airports of London Heathrow and Manchester.
Etihad Airways also
has a strong presence in UK sport through its sponsorship of Manchester City
Football Club and the England Cricket Team. While 2016 has seen the airline
further grow its presence through support for London Fashion Week and the Taste
of London Festival.
TTG was established as Travel Trade Gazette in
1953 as the world’s first weekly travel trade newspaper. The TTG Travel Awards are regarded as being the
toughest in the business to win, while the awards ceremony is renowned for
breaking the mould.