Readers of the US-based Global Traveler magazine have voted Qatar Airways Best Airline in the Middle East – a fitting accolade in a year when the Doha-based airline prepares to launch flights to America. The airline was awarded the honour after readers participated in the survey, which ran in the magazine over a seven-month period from February 2006 to August 2006.

Qatar Airways picked up the prestigious award at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York, where Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO of Global Traveler, honoured all the winners at a gala ceremony.

This summer, Qatar Airways will enter the US market for the first time with scheduled flights between Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, and America’s financial capital of New York City.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker expressed his delight at the latest award in a market which the airline was preparing to enter with vigour. “Considering that Qatar Airways has not yet even started flying to the United States, we are delighted to receive this highly prestigious award from readers of Global Traveler,” he said.

“I would like to thank the readers of Global Traveler for this wonderful award. It demonstrates that the American public is well travelled to all parts of the world and for a young and rapidly developing airline to be recognised as the Best in the Middle East is a wonderful recognition of our achievements. We strive to be the best in what we do and our standards are already among the best in the world. Qatar Airways is extremely honoured and looks forward to taking our Five Star service to the US market this summer.”

Qatar Airways has entered 2007 in buoyant mood celebrating the 10th anniversary of its relaunch with nine new destinations planned during the year.

Dar es Salaam, the commercial and financial centre of Tanzania, became the newest addition to Qatar Airways’ family of routes when direct non-stop services were launched to the city on January 9.

During 2007, Qatar Airways also plans to add Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lagos and two cities in eastern and northern Europe. With a growing international network, Al Baker added that more travellers would have an opportunity to use Qatar Airways’ brand new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport, exclusively for departing First and Business Class passengers.