OREANDA-NEWS. Qatar Airways has been honoured for the fifth consecutive year as Best Middle East Airline at the 2014 Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards. The ceremony, which was held at the Conrad Hotel Hong Kong, was attended by key individuals from the aviation, travel and trade industries.

The Annual Business Traveller Asia Pacific Awards, which is now in its 23rd year, handed out awards in more than 50 categories. Qatar Airways Commercial Manager Hong Kong, Mr. Yap Kiang Thiam was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the airline.

Qatar Airways Commercial Manager Hong Kong, Mr. Yap Kiang Thiam receiving the award

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: "We are extremely proud to have received this award for Best Middle East Airline. To be recognised for our commitment to providing five-star service and an enhanced travel experience to all of our passengers throughout our network is a great honour. We would like to thank Business Traveller Asia Pacific for their recognition and look forward to offering our passengers in the region the best in Qatar Airways service and hospitality when travelling with us."

With a combined 38 flights a week, mainland China and Hong Kong are two of the most valued markets in the Qatar Airways network. By offering passengers one of the largest route networks between China and the rest of the world, the airline has shown its deep commitment to serving its passengers in the Asia Pacific region.

Additionally, the airline entered into a code-share with Cathay Pacific, the home carrier of Hong Kong, in March 2014. With the double-daily flights now available, passengers of both airlines are able to benefit from more convenient connections through Hamad International Airport in Doha. The code-share has also resulted in a surge in demand on the Hong Kong route, particularly from corporate and business travellers.

It has been a remarkable year Qatar Airways. In May, the airline moved to its new home base at the state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, which includes the 10,000 square foot Al Mourjan Business Lounge, an airside hotel, more than 70 retail outlets and 30 cafЁ¦s and restaurants. It also welcomed its first A380 and launched 10 new routes to its network, including Dallas, Miami and Edinburgh.

Qatar Airways, the State of Qatar's national airline, has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of more than 135 aircraft to over 140 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.