Indian voted most trusted domestic airline, receives PATWA award

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) Indian (Airlines) today received the prestigious PATWA award for being India's most trusted airline.

The award instituted by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) was given at a ceremony during the world's largest tourism event held at ITB in Berlin.

PATWA is the biggest travel writers association with 70 countries as members. The body recognises excellence in all categories of tourism and allied industries.

It was a double achievement for Indian as its commercial director Anita Khurana also received the PATWA award for best marketing person in aviation.

The airline has an annual carriage of over eight million passengers and operates to 54 destinations in India and 18 destinations in neighbouring regions like the Gulf and southeast Asia with over 300 daily flights.

It is all set to induct the remaining 42 Airbus aircraft on order -- 20 A321s, 18 A319s and 4 A320s -- 9 of which are to join the present fleet of 74 aircraft in a staggered manner this year. It also continues to lease aircraft to support its expansion plans.

Two wide body A330 aircraft are expected to join the fleet in October this year with which it will expand its international operations to Melbourne and Guanghzou. Six regional jets are also planned to be leased in 2007.

UNI