Bangkok--3 Jul--Total Quality PR Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, which operates highly popular twice daily flights from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi and onwards to 44 destinations around the globe, has won the highly coveted “leading airline” award at the World Travel Awards (WTAs) for the Middle East and Africa. Votes for the WTAs were taken from nearly 170,000 travel industry professionals from around the world, of which 110,000 are travel agents. The airline drew particular praise at the WTA ceremony for building a global flight network of 44 destinations in as many months, which the awards’ organisers describe as “an unprecedented achievement in the air travel industry”. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: “This is fantastic news especially in the face of strong competition from some very good airlines, particularly those based in the Middle East.” Etihad was also presented with the awards for “leading first class airline” and “leading airline website” at the high profile ceremony at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel. The ceremony was presented by American TV stars Jamie-Lynn Sigler, from “The Sopranos”, Chris Noth from “Sex and the City” with many of the awards presented by reigning Miss World, Tatiana Kucharova. Photo caption: 1. (Left to right all Etihad Airways) Peter Baumgartner, EVP marketing and product; James Hogan, chief executive and James Rigney, EVP finance celebrate winning three titles at the World Travel Awards in Abu Dhabi. About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 44 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: 02 253 0099 or visit www.etihadairways.com For more information as well as pictures, please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd Tel. 02 260 5820 Fax 02 260 5847 — 8 E-mail : [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net