The Chairman’s Award, the Emirates Group’s highest employee accolade, has been presented to seven staff members for their professionalism and integrity in customer service.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, presented the award to the staff members at a ceremony at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai, attended by senior group management.
In addition to receiving a Certificate of Appreciation, the employees received a commemorative gift of a pen set and a cheque for Dhs10,000 (US$2,725).
Sheikh Ahmed said: “We are in the service industry and maintaining a high standard of customer service is at the core of everything we do. I am very pleased to present this award to our outstanding staff members who have shown a willingness to go far beyond what was required of them. Their actions are recognised with this award.”
Cabin Crew Members Corey Oliver and Ryan Black received the Chairman’s Award for saving the life of a swimmer in difficulties at Dubai’s Jumeirah beach. Their quick action through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and first aid helped revive the person before the arrival of the emergency services.
The award also went to Lead Aircraft mechanics Martin Bryant and Peter Whitaker who took control of an unruly deportee at London’s Gatwick Airport and guided flight and cabin crew to safety, thereby averting a possible incident in flight.
Loader & Driver Afzal Bin Mohammed received the award for extinguishing a fire on the front wheel of a Kenyan Airways aircraft standing at Dubai International Airport, consequently averting a major disaster.
The Chairman’s award went to Perth-based Senior Airport Services Agent Amy Davis for her personalised customer service to the blind opera singer Andrea Bocelli who was travelling from Perth to Rome. She had the First Class Welcome Letter translated into Italian and then converted into Braille for the Maestro to read on board, in addition to assisting him in all outbound formalities.
The award was also presented to Senior Airport Services Agent – Special Services Taimour Agha, while going to the aid of an ill passenger arriving at Dubai International Airport, noticed another visibly-ill passenger at the Transfer Desk. He alerted the airport’s medical team for first aid and eventually escorted the passenger to hospital, thereby saving his life.
The Chairman’s Award is the top accolade in Emirates’ annual Mabrouk Awards scheme, which was launched in 1997 to reward non-managerial staff for exceptional achievement during the year.
Staff members who go well beyond the call of duty receive either the Silver or the Bronze Mabrouk award, from which the recipient of the Chairman’s Award is chosen. Since the start of the scheme, Mabrouk awards were presented to over 5,500 staff members. In the year 2005, 17 staff members were nominated for the top award that resulted in the seven winners.
