BMED WINS OAG OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

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[11:29 am] 19 April, 2007

BMED, the independent franchise partner of British Airways,
operating flights between Yerevan and London Heathrow, was awarded
the Outstanding Service Award at the 25th Anniversary of the OAG
Airline of the Year Awards, the world’s premier airline accolades,
in recognition of the efforts of its Beirut staff for efforts above
and beyond the call of duty during the Lebanon war last year.

The was accepted by Maria Sabbah, BMED Sales Manager Lebanon, in a
ceremony held in London in the presence of Princess Anne.

Ms Sabbah and her team responded rapidly to support customers who
were seeking safe passage out of the country, and at a time when all
other airlines closed their town offices, BMED staff not only kept
the downtown Beirut office open, but extended its opening hours.

At some risk to their own safety, BMED’s staff throughout the conflict
opened the office every day, including weekends, in order to assist
passengers from all airlines with their travel arrangements.

The city’s international airport, Rafik Hariri, was one of the first
targets of the bombings, and BMED operated extra flights to and from
Amman, Aleppo and Damascus to offer the additional capacity required
to fulfill the customer demand for flights out of Beirut, and the
sales team in the BMED office work tirelessly to place customers on
these flights.

Ms Sabbah, who received her award from BMED CEO David Ricahrdson, said:
"When I first received news of the award, I could hardly believe it –
it is indeed an honour.

"Those days in Beirut last summer were dark, dangerous and distressing
for so many people. We were just getting on with a job that simply
had to be done.

"I have to say that it would have been so much more difficult without
the paramount support of my BMED colleagues at head office in London. I
am grateful to them, and of course to OAG, for this very special award,
which will be treasured.

"I will be accepting it on behalf of our entire Beirut team, some of
whom will be with me this evening, while most will be back in Beirut,
but with us in spirit."

BMED’s Commercial Director, Jonathan Grisdale, said: "I am very proud
of the exceptional role that was performed by Maria and her team in
Beirut in what were extremely difficult circumstances.

"Beirut is a very special destination for BMED and was the route
which founded the airline.

"This award demonstrates that we are committed to serving out
passengers with the highest levels of service, in any situation."

Photo 1: Maria Sabbah, BMED Sales Manager Lebanon, in foreground,
with (left to right) the team members with her in London, Nelly Azar,
Naji Mahdi, and Walid Kanaan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress