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Wednesday, 3 October 2012 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Air travellers in the Maldives have overwhelmingly voted Emirates their favourite airline.
The Dubai-based international airline received 45 per cent of the votes cast in a public poll organised as part of the ‘GMR Maldives Travel Awards 2012’ presented at a gala ceremony at the Paradise Island Resort on 28th September.
Awards were presented in 20 categories by the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) on 
the recommendations of a five-member panel of industry experts appointed by the Association’s executive board.
The ‘Leading International Airline’ category, in which Emirates was the winner, was decided entirely on public voting.
Chandana de Silva, Emirates Area Manager Sri Lanka & Maldives said: “The Maldives continues to be an important destination on the Emirates global network, and we are honoured to be chosen as the leading airline serving the archipelago. Emirates values the feedback it receives from the destinations it serves.”
“We owe this award to our customers in Maldives, who we have served for 25 years,” said Darrell Soertsz, Emirates District Manager Maldives. “Emirates has been committed to this destination from the airline’s fledgling days, and the world-class services we offer as well as the role we have played in promoting tourism and supporting the economy are clearly appreciated by our customers.”
Emirates’ award was presented to Mr. Soertsz at the ceremony by Mohamed Hassan – Associate Vice President of GMR, the title sponsor of the Maldives Travel Awards 2012.
The winner of more than 500 international awards, Emirates has served the Maldives since May 27, 1987. The airline operates 14 services a week from Malé to Dubai, and daily services between Malé and Colombo, connecting the Maldives with a global network of 125 destinations in 74 countries.
