Qatar, Etihad, Emirates named among world’s top 10 airlines

The UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways has been named “Environmental Airline of the Year 2023”. The carrier has won this title for the second year running in the Airline Ratings awards.

Etihad also ranked third in Airline Ratings’ “Top 10 Airlines” award, which looks at in-air comfort, innovation, value, and safety across economy, business and first-class.

The awards were announced by AirlineRatings.com. The aviation monitor announced the rankings along with its “Airline Excellence Awards” and the “Top 25 Airlines in the World for 2023”.

The passenger aviation companies were analysed on the basis of “consistent level of service, innovation, and staff engagement” from each major contender. Airlines were also ranked on their innovation, route networks, and safety score against strict assessment criteria.

Airlineratings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas, said, “We are focused on leadership and airlines that innovate to make a real difference to the passenger experience.”

Two more Gulf carriers were named in this global ranking of airlines. Qatar Airways was ranked second in the world’s Top 25 Airlines in the World for 2023 while Emirates Airlines ranked 10th.

Air New Zealand was ranked number 1 because of its “cabin innovation of beds for economy class passengers on its new 787s, passenger service and rapid recovery from Covid-19 pandemic-caused disruptions.”

Etihad Airways’s green strategy

Etihad Airways has made sustainability a key pillar of its operations. The national carrier said its sustainability strategy is focused on achieving emissions reductions through in-sector measures, aligning with industry roadmaps and frameworks, collaborating with UAE industrial ecosystems, and remaining transparent and proactive regarding sustainability issues within the aviation industry.

In its most recent sustainability report released in May 2023, Etihad announced it had achieved a 26 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometre (RTK). This achievement is underpinned by Etihad’s flagship sustainability initiatives, including the ‘Greenliner programme’, which uses the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as flying test-beds and the Sustainable50 A350-1000.

Antonoaldo Neves, group chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said, “We take great pride in reducing our CO2 RTK by 26 percent. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and efforts of our team to drive our sustainability agenda and we thank them for their contributions.”

He added, I am also very proud of our overall achievements, which go beyond delivering direct CO2 reductions but explore innovative solutions to the broader challenges facing aviation sustainability.”

Airlineratings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas, said, “Etihad Airways has demonstrated its leadership in the push for sustainable flight with its Greenliner Boeing 787 programme and last year with its Sustainability50, A350 aircraft.”

“In every aspect, Etihad Airways staff and management are committed to reducing the airline’s CO2 footprint, and it shows. The airline’s Sustainability Report 2021-2022 demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives.”