Qatar Airways has been named “Airline of the Year” at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards 2011 for its outstanding in-flight product and operational excellence.

Qatar Airways' global ranking among more than 200 international airlines rose to the world's top position - up from third spot last year - further cementing its stature as one of the world's best airlines.

The awards are selected by the airline's most important audience - its customers. More than 18 million passengers from 100 different nationalities were polled during the annual Skytrax awards, said a statement.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker collected the award at a ceremony during last week’s Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.

Qatar Airways, which remains one of a select few carriers with a Skytrax Five Star ranking for service excellence, also claimed the “Best Middle East Airline” award for the sixth consecutive year.

The international airline also received the accolade “Best First Class Lounge” for its Premium Terminal at the carrier's Doha hub - a facility for exclusive use by Qatar Airways' First and Business Class passengers.

“At Qatar Airways we always aim at doing the best in everything we do. To be considered as the top airline in the world is a huge achievement and a very rewarding moment in Qatar Airways' history”, Al Baker said.