Gulf State Airlines Shine in Global Passenger Survey

Miami, United States (TML) – Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airways are all among the best airlines in the world, a new passenger survey has found.

The poll, by British in-flight evaluation and research firm Skytrax, ranked the Qatari national airline Qatar Airways fourth, ahead of Dubai-based Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi. No American airlines made the top ten list, and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific took the top spot.

“They have good services,” Oussama Salah, an aviation expert based in the United Arab Emirates told The Media Line when asked why Gulf based airlines frequently rank highly in these kinds of surveys. “The airplanes are up to date and people prefer them for long haul flights.”

“Etihad is advertising its new Japan services with Japanese food in all classes and Japanese films,” Salah added, referring to one example of superior customer service. “I recently flew American Airlines first class and they offered 6 movies, whereas [top Gulf airlines] give you 200.”

Aviation expert Christian Lambertus said there were additional reasons for the high ranking.

“Their strategy is better,” he told The Media Line. “They have an advantage when it comes to labor costs in comparison to both European and American airlines, who can’t employ the same number of staff.”

Emirates Airlines was established by the government of Dubai in 1985 as part of efforts to diversify the small Emirates’ economy by attracting tourists and businesses to the region.

The government of Abu Dhabi followed suit in 2003, establishing Etihad with a royal decree and $136 million in start-up capital.

Qatar Airways, in its current form, was established in 1997 and marked the start of a growth period for other Gulf based airlines. The carrier’s home hub in Doha International Airport is located just outside the capital.

In contrast to Emirates Airlines or Etihad Airways, which are fully government owned, Qatar Airways is partially owned by private investors.

It is the only airline in the Middle East region to have gained the coveted 5-Star Airline certification, and one of just six airlines worldwide that currently meet the exacting and rigorous quality criteria set by Skytrax’s full star rating.

Qatar Airways is European plane maker Airbus’s largest Middle East based customer, having ordered five A380s with a delivery schedule set to begin in 2012.

The A380 is Airbus’s crown jewel double-decker, and depending on configuration has a maximum capacity of up to 555 passengers. In preparation for the new airplanes, unprecedented in their dimensions, many airports have followed New Doha International Airport’s lead and expanded their current facilities.

Government support, which according to some analysts has been the main driver behind Emirates Airline’s growth over recent years, appears to be causing the carrier some problems.

Canadian airline, Air Canada, is trying to prevent Emirates Airlines from expanding into the Canadian market under claims the government backing enjoyed by Emirates means that the airline is competing with unfair advantages.

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