Emirates has been named “Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent” in the Official Airline Guide's 2003 Awards. The Dubai-based international carrier beat off fierce competition from rivals to claim the prize at the 21st OAG Awards ceremony at London's Park Lane Hilton hotel.

Mohamed Shareef A. Raheem, Emirates' General Manager UK & Ireland, received the honor from Les Higgins, OAG's Chief Executive and UK broadcaster and writer Clive Anderson.

Mr Raheem said, “Awards like these, voted on by our customers, endorse our constant efforts to offer them top-quality air travel.” OAG Worldwide provides the world's most comprehensive and up-to-date flights database with details on services by some 850 airlines. It is widely regarded as a definitive source of independent flight information for business travelers, arrangers, corporations and government agencies.

Emirates, founded as recently as 1985, is now among the world's six most profitable and 20 largest international airlines and has won more than 200 awards to date. It is the world's fastest growing major airline, with services to 64 cities in 45 countries in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub-Continent and Asia-Pacific.

This year 11 new aircraft are joining its fleet, increasing seat capacity by 25 per cent and allowing it to start four new routes, add more flights on many existing routes and launch radically new in-flight services and products.