Arabian Reach reveals winners of Emerging Markets Airports Awards 2011

Winners of the second edition of Emerging Markets Airports (EMA) Awards were announced last night (June 1, 2011) at a gala evening held at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai. The event was attended by key airports and aviation industry peers and decision makers from around the world, including Ali Al Salhi, Chairman for Oil and Economic Development and Governor of Kirkuk Province in Iraq.

The awards ceremony was organised by Arabian Reach, the UAE-based company specialising in exhibitions and events management across the region, in association with Reed Exhibitions, under the patronage of Dubai World Central (DWC).

The awards were instituted to recognise and honour excellence in the aviation and airport industry from emerging market airports of the Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Russia, CIS and Baltic States, by surveying the most diverse and discerning group of professionals involved in this industry. The winners were recognised based on the values of the endorsement by professionals, editors of major publications worldwide and online votes received by members of the public and corporate institutions worldwide.

H.E. Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai World Central won the Hall of Fame award, while H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) won the Best Emerging Market- Legends of Aviation award, which was received by  H.E. Ahmed Al Haddabi, ADAC’s Senior Vice President of Airports Operations, on behalf of H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei.

The Lifetime Achievement award was received by Abdul Rahman Al Gaoud, Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr. Khalid Al Mazrouei, CEO of Fujairah International Airport won the Best Emerging Market Airport Personality of the Year award, while Talar Faiq, Director of Erbil International Airport won the Best Emerging Market Woman in Aviation award. Abu Dhabi International Airport grabbed two awards this year for the Best Airport in the Middle East and the Best Emerging Market Duty Free.

Among the other award categories include the Best Emerging Market Cargo Personality award that went to Fathi Buhazza, CEO of Maximus Air Cargo in UAE; Best Emerging Market Cargo Airport awarded to Jomo Kenyata International Airport in Kenya which also received the Best Airport in Africa award; Best Airport IT Service Provider went to SITA; Best Emerging Airport Contractor went to Al Jaber Engineering Company; Best Emerging Market Airport Management Company was presented to Turkey’s Tav Airports Holding; Best Emerging Market Ground Handler went to National Air Services in Kuwait; Shell was named Best Emerging Market Airport Fuel Provider; Best Emerging Airport for Eco Innovation went to Izmir Adnan Menderes International Airport in Turkey; Best Emerging Market Airport Equipment Service Provider award was presented to Cavotec Group based in Turkey; and Best Emerging Market ATC/ATM Service Provider went to Thales group France.

Raj Menon, General Manager, Arabian Reach, said: “Following the highly successful inaugural edition last year, the calibre of entries this year was outstanding and we received overwhelming response from a great number of companies and individuals working in the airports and aviation industry. A total of 91,115 nominations and 34,000 votes were filed for the awards this year, which exceeded all our expectations. We congratulate all the winners of EMA Awards for their exceptional performance and contributions to the airports and aviation sector, and we wish them more success and prosperity.” 

The next edition of EMA awards will be launched on June 1, 2012 and is expected to witness participation from more than 200 airports and aviation companies from the emerging markets of Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Russia and CIS countries.