Emirates bags Airline of the Year award

Emirates has won Airline of the Year 2020 award at the Aviation Business Awards.

The award is an acknowledgement of the airline's 

 resilience, agility and innovation amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Throughout the year, it has led the industry in ensuring that passengers are comfortable and confident.  

Emirates' customer-centric approach, optimal utilisation of its fleet for revenue generation, ability to strike a balance between business imperatives with new health and safety protocols, and continued maintenance of its industry-leading passenger experience were other reasons it was recognized with the award. 

The airline was among the first ones to redesign the customer experience and implement robust biosafety measures at every touchpoint. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the steps to ensure the passengers' health and safety are protected have proved to be effective. 

The measures it took included dedicated crew to maintain onboard lavatory cleanliness, 

complimentary hygiene kits for all passengers, thermal scanning and social distancing markers at the airport, protective screens at check-in desks, enhanced aircraft cleaning and disinfection protocols and PPE for frontline employees among others. 

While strictly observing health and safety protocols, Emirates has managed to safely reinstate its signature products and services including its A380 Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa. 

To reduce person to person contact on the ground, the airline also launched self-check in and bag drop kiosks at DXB. 

It went further to launch the world’s first biometrics path which allows customers to have a frictionless journey across four key checkpoints at the airport.

It has also been rated the safest airline in the world in its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer.

Emirates was the first airline to offer free COVID-19 medical cover for customers travelling to any destination. 

On 1 December, the airline's initiative  to offer the industry’s first multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover took effect. 

During the awards ceremony, Sir Tim Clark was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award as he was recognized for his contributions to the aviation industry throughout his career.

Sir Tim also received the Gulf Business Lifetime Achievement Award in November. The award was a way of recognising his dedication and commitment to building the airline including his significant role in transforming the flying experience in the industry.