The FINANCIAL -- Dubai International Airport recently won awards for 'Best Airport ' in the Middle East, at the prestigious Business Traveller Awards in Germany, and the 'Fastest Growing Airport ' and 'Best Duty Free', at the Naseba Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Airport s Awards in Doha.

"Passenger throughput at Dubai International reached 34.34 million in 2007 - up 19.3 per cent over 2006, the highest growth rate registered last year by any international Airport ." Gulfnews reports.

Dubai Duty Free also announced record-breaking results with sales for 2007 reaching Dh3.175 billion ($880 million), a 24 per cent increase over the previous year.

"Dubai International Airport has long been recognised as a premier Airport in the Middle East and is fast emerging as a global hub, thanks to Dubai's achievements in tourism, trade, aviation and logistics sectors," said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group.

"Our infrastructure will expand greatly over the coming years giving us unparalleled capacity; and side by side with our expansion projects we are also working with all stakeholders to make Dubai Airport s better in all aspects of our operations," he said.

"International honours such as these are a reaffirmation of our ongoing efforts to provide the highest standard of service, and the best of facilities to passengers," added Shaikh Ahmad.

The Business Traveller Awards are bestowed on the basis of quality of services such as baggage delivery, check-in, and front line staff services; facilities and duty free shopping - a major contributor towards achieving the award.

Survey forms for the award nominations are included in Business Traveller Germany and sent to all regional subscribers, a large percentage of whom turn them in with their choices.

"We are aware of our performance and position internationally, but being recognised by independent bodies or users of Airport s, as is in the case of Business Traveller Germany is truly satisfying," said Dubai Airport s CEO Paul Griffiths..

The Naseba Mena Airport Awards, which are conducted every year by Naseba, recognise the region's best experts in the aviation industry.

The awards are presented to key players in the aviation industry in the Mena region in recognition of their proactive approach to aviation development.

The awards this year focused on the Mena's fastest growing and most influential Airport s. The awards were hosted by Naseba in partnership with Skytrax.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax and Philippe Saad from BBC World announced the names of the winners at the event. The 2009 edition will give an additional focus to airlines and aviation services that are responsible for supporting the Airport s in their growth.

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