The Abu Dhabi-based airline picked up the award at a glittering ceremony attended by 900 travel industry professionals on Friday 7 November at Battersea Evolution in London.James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, said.

“It is a tremendous honor for Etihad Airways to win the prestigious title of ‘airline of the year’ at the British Travel Awards, particularly as 2008 sees us celebrate our fifth birthday.

“It is particularly pleasing to receive this accolade from industry professionals, who recognize the many achievements we have made in the last five years and the significant growth which has made Etihad the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation history.”

The British Travel Award is the latest in a series of top accolades that the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has won this year, including the Middle East’s ‘Leading Airline’, ‘Leading First Class’ and ‘Leading Travel Website’ at the 2008 World Travel Awards; ‘Best Cabin Staff’ and ‘Best Economy Class’ at.

The Business Traveler Middle East awards and ‘Best Website’ at the 2008 Pan Arab Web awards.Etihad was also named by Skytrax as one of the top ten airlines in the world’s largest independent survey of air travelers, a huge achievement for an airline which has been flying for just five years.