QATAR. Qatar Airways’ inflight duty free programme has been named the best in the Middle East for the third time in four years at the PAX International Readership Awards. The onboard programme is run by Qatar Duty Free.
The airline was also victorious in the ‘Best Cabin Interior Passenger Experience’ and ‘Outstanding Food Service’ categories. The PAX International Readership Awards ceremony was held in Hamburg, Germany on 3 April.
“As an airline, one of our highest priorities is to provide our customers with an exceptional experience each and every time they fly,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker.
“We continually strive to innovate in order to create a memorable environment onboard – from our cabin interior, to our exquisite food & beverage service, to our extensive duty free offering. We are very pleased that these awards recognise our efforts to pay attention to every detail.”
Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Bruce Bowman said the inflight duty free award win was testament to the company’s “commitment to provide passengers with a selection of luxury and leading brands and products tailored to their needs”.
He added: “The introduction of our online pre-order facility last year also means that passengers can shop prior to travelling and have their shopping delivered to the comfort of their seats. The Middle East is a highly competitive region for duty free; thus we are tremendously gratified to have received this award.”
At the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax, Qatar Airways came top in four categories. These were: ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.
As reported, The Trinity Forum will be held in Doha in 2019, the first time the event has ever been hosted in Qatar. The Forum, a joint venture between The Moodie Davitt Report, ACI World and ACI Asia-Pacific, will be hosted by Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways and Qatar Duty Free and will take place in Doha on 30-31 October 2019.
