Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al-Baker receiving the Airline of the Year award from Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted at a ceremony during the Paris International Air Show yesterday. Qatar Airways has been named Airline of the Year at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards 2011 for its “outstanding inflight product and operational excellence”. With the award, Qatar Airways’ global ranking among more than 200 international airlines has risen to the world’s top position – up from third spot last year. Qatar Airways beat stiff competition from four Asian carriers in the category to clinch the honour in front of global aviation industry executives. Qatar Airways has also received two other awards at the event: the Best Middle East Airline, won for the sixth consecutive year, and the Best First Class Lounge for its Premium Terminal at the carrier’s Doha hub.

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