Dubai International Airport wins the 2011 Best Airport in the Middle East Award

Dubai International registered another record year with the airport’s 2010 passenger traffic reaching an historic 47.2 million, up 15.3 per cent over 40.9 million in 2009 and 2.4 per cent more than the 46.1 million originally projected for the year. According to the annual traffic report issued today by Dubai Airports, December passenger numbers reached 4.2 million, an increase of 11.6 per cent compared to 3.8 million recorded during the same month in 2009. In terms of monthly traffic, the airport crossed the four million mark for the third consecutive month in December, and for the fourth time in 2010. HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, attributed Dubai International’s continued success to Dubai’s progressive aviation model. "The key to our success has been our coordinated and supportive approach to aviation,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “Dubai has a model, unlike Europe and elsewhere, that recognises aviation’s strategic importance and promotes growth in the sector. It starts with an open skies policy, competitive rates and a tax-free environment that has attracted over 130 airlines to Dubai and extends to strategic investments in top-flight aviation infrastructure that promote high service standards and sustain rapid growth. This combined with our geocentric location, which can effectively connect any two major cities in the world, will drive further expansion and continued benefits to consumers across the globe."

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the gateway to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The airport is an award-winning facility that is increasingly being recognized as the airport of choice offering passengers a unique combination of functional advantages and convivial travel experience. A host of initiatives recently introduced are confirming the airport’s image as a passenger centric facility. That image will certainly be further consolidated as the new state-of-the art facilities under the ambitious US$6.8 million expansion programme come on line. Located 32km from the heart of Abu Dhabi city, the airport is built over an area of 350,000 square metre. The airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new terminal three (T3) serves as base to Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates. T3 was opened in early 2009, raising the airport capacity to 12 million passengers per annum. Following the Terminal’s opening in early 2009, ADAC and Etihad worked on implementing the transition of the majority of Etihad flights from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. This allowed the smooth transition for all passengers, as well as the ability to monitor and confirm safety and security measures and ensure its award- winning security standards are met. To meet further growing demand, ADAC has begun development work on a major new passenger terminal, to be situated between the two parallel runways and known as the Midfield Terminal Complex (MTC). The construction of the Midfield Terminal is a key element of the broader Midfield Complex, which will include cargo and catering facilities, utilities and related infrastructure. In its first year of operation, the planned capacity of this facility is expected to reach 20 million passengers, gradually increasing to 40 million passengers per annum.

Bahrain International Airport is a key hub airport in the region, providing a gateway to the Northern Gulf. The airport is a major hub for both Gulf Air and Bahrain Air. Together they account for 56% of the total weekly operations. 39 other international airlines including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM and Lufthansa operate a total of 460 services per week to a total of 60 destinations. In 2008, The Airport witnessed a tremendous growth of 20% accounting for 8.9 million passengers while aircraft movement also increased by 11% to 81,789. However Cargo tonnage had no increase 350, 000 tonnes. erminal facilities are under constant review and improvement. Recent developments include a unique separate First and Business Class Check-In Lounge providing specialized services for premium passengers with discrete check-in and immigration facilities and direct access to the Departures Lounge.

The world's most Prestigious and Recognised Airport Awards

The World Airport Survey™ : 11 million air travellers from over 160 countries make this the world’s largest, annual airport passenger satisfaction survey, evaluating traveller experiences across 39 different airport service and product factors. It analyses the airport experience for departure, arrival and transit, including terminal facilities, comfort and cleanliness, security and immigration services, signage and directions, shopping and dining standards, staff service quality ... and much more. The survey is held in highest esteem for its impartiality and independence, and is regarded as the global benchmark of airport excellence and Quality ranking.

Best Airport and Airport Hotel winners include

King Shaka International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Auckland International Airport, Bangalore International Airport, Barcelona Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Central Japan International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Copenhagen Airport, Doha International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Düsseldorf International Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Guayaquil Airport, Haikou Meilan International Airport, Hamburg Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Hotel Sofitel London Heathrow, Incheon International Airport, InterContinental Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, Jorge Chávez International Airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, London Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, Moscow Domodedovo Airport, Munich Airport, OR Tambo International Airport, Panama Tocumen Airport, Regal Airport Hotel, Sao Paulo Airport Marriott Hotel, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Zurich Airport