oneworld has been named the world's leading airline alliance for the third year running in the World's Travel Awards, which describes itself as the most comprehensive award scheme for the industry - with its member airlines taking more accolades than members of the other groupings combined.

In the top worldwide categories, besides oneworld take the alliance award, member airline British Airways was honoured twice - as the world's leading airline overall and the world's leading airline first class service - with partner American Airlines also taking a pair of trophies, for the world's leading airline economy class and best website. Members of the other two alliances collected just one top award between them.

In the regional awards, oneworld carriers received nine more awards - including another two for British Airways, as leading first class in Europe and the Caribbean, and three more for American, as leading North American carrier, and leading first class airline service in both North and Central America.

oneworld's Cathay Pacific Airways was also honoured twice - as leading airline in Asia and Asia's leading airline business class. The alliance's LAN and Qantas were also among the winners, respectively as leading South American airline first class and leading Australasian airline overall.

The awards were presented last night at a gala ceremony at London's Royal Opera House, on the eve of World Travel Market, one of the biggest travel conventions worldwide, which opens in the UK capital today.

The World Travel Awards, which are based on votes cast by travel agents in 200 countries, were established in 1993. oneworld has retained its award for leading airline alliance every year since it was introduced in 2003.

In September, oneworld was named the world's Best Airline Alliance for the second year running by some of the most frequent of the world's flyers in the other main award for this sector of the industry. It was the third time that it had won the honour in four years that the Business Traveller magazine has recognised airline alliances.

oneworld Vice-President Corporate Communications Michael Blunt said:

"oneworld is delighted to maintain its winning ways through this is a tremendous vote of confidence from some of the most knowledgable people in the world travel industry. It reflects the quality of our airline members and our efforts to deliver alliance customer service better than any one else. We will be aiming to build further on this success next year and way into the future."

Sist oppdatert: 14.11.05 12:49