Etihad Airways has been named The Middle East’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards Middle East for the ninth consecutive year.

The prestigious gala ceremony was held last night at the Four Seasons Resort in Dubai, UAE. 

In addition to the coveted accolade, Etihad Airways also scooped awards for Middle East’s Leading Airline - First Class, and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted that travel industry professionals across the region have once again voted us as the Middle East’s leading airline.

“2014 was a momentous year for Etihad Airways. With the introduction of our new A380 and B787 flagship aircraft, we launched the most luxurious and innovative cabins in the sky, ushering in a new era of reimagined flying.

“These accolades are testament to the hard work of our employees, the support of the travel and tourism industry, and the unwavering loyalty of our guests.”

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to celebrate excellence in travel and tourism, with industry professionals and travel consumers voting for the winners, and have been described as the Oscars of the travel industry by the Wall Street Journal. Winners are initially selected at six regional ceremonies, including the Middle East event, followed by a year-end global finale.

Speaking at the ceremony, World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “Congratulations to Etihad Airways for being voted the Middle East’s Leading Airline for the ninth consecutive year by the voters here at World Travel Awards. With the addition to its fleet of both the Boeing Dreamliner and Airbus A380, home to The Residence by Etihad, in the past 12 months, it is little wonder the UAE’s national airline has been selected for the accolade once again in 2015. 

“We wish Etihad Airways every success and look forward to welcoming them to the World Travel Awards Grand Final later this year, where they will defend the coveted title of World’s Leading Airline.” 

World Travel Awards collected ballots from 609,000 voters from across the travel industry in 2014. 

The airline’s success at this year’s World Travel Awards Middle East follows another string of triumphs for Etihad Airways over the past month. At the Aircraft Interiors Expo held in Hamburg, the airline took home the highly coveted Crystal Cabin Award for its innovative A380 upper deck cabins, as well as the PAX International awards for Best New IFE/Connectivity Launch by an Airline and Best Inflight Duty Free Program. This week, Etihad Airways picked up the awards for Best Airport Lounge and Best Frequent Flyer Program at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards.

Etihad Airways has achieved an enviable reputation for the high standards of its inflight service and hospitality, expertly delivered by an award-winning cabin crew from 114 different countries around the world. Their varied and unique roles are unsurpassed by any other airline and include the Savoy Butler Academy trained Butlers in The Residence by Etihad onboard the airline’s new A380 fleet, Chefs in First Class, Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class, and the acclaimed Flying Nannies, who receive training at the world-renowned Norland College in the United Kingdom. 

Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 69 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and eight Airbus A380s.