Turkish Airlines named best airline in Europe for sixth year in a row

LONDON

Turkish Airlines has been named the “Best Airline in Europe” for the sixth year in a row by Skytrax, which is recognized by the aviation industry for its global ranking system which tracks customer satisfaction of airline services and performance around the world, the company said in a written statement on July 12.

In a gala ceremony held at the Farnborough Airshow in London, Skytrax presented the 2016 World Airline Awards on July 12. The leaders and top management from over 40 airlines from across the globe attended the event.

Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted gave the award to Turkish Airlines Chairman İlker Aycı during the event, where Emirates was named the “Best Airline in the World.”

Turkish Airlines was also selected as the “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the eighth consecutive year.

The carrier also received the distinction of having the “World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge” and the “World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining.”

The awards, based on the surveys of over 1 million worldwide airline customers in 550 airports, evaluated traveler experience using key performance factors including check-ins, arrivals, transfers, security and immigration.

The number of passengers carried by Turkish Airlines in the first five months of the year hit 25 million, representing a 7.8 percent increase compared to the same period of 2015, the company said in June.

The number of Turkish Airlines aircraft increased from 277 to 322 during the same period, while it also added 15 more destinations, bringing the total to 289.