(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles national airline, Air Seychelles, has been voted the leading airline in the Indian Ocean in terms of its Business Class service as well as its cabin crew service, by the World Travel Awards.

This was announced on Friday September 5, during the World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held at in Abuja, Nigeria.

In a press statement to announce that Air Seychelles has been awarded the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline for Business Class and the Indian Ocean's Leading Airline for Cabin Crew by World Travel Awards for 2014, the airline said this further enhances its status as the leading carrier in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

“In Business Class on our two wide-body Airbus A330-200s we offer lie-flat seats, a dine anytime concept, personal on-demand inflight entertainment, and in-seat power – everything one would expect from a leading airline.  Equally, our 140 cabin crew embody the very essence of Seychelles’ style, Creole warmth and hospitality for which the islands are synonymous,” said Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Manoj Papa in the statement.

“Central to our success is always being ahead on what our guests expect from us.”

For the national airline the award caps what has been described as "a remarkable year to date for the airline."

Commenting on the achievement, Joël Morgan, the Chairman of the Air Seychelles Board, also the archipelago's Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, attributed the awards to the efforts of the Air Seychelles’ team, the airline’s strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, and the innovative approach taken to being the best.

The Seychelles national airline established in 1978 entered into a strategic partnership with Etihad in 2012, where the UAE carrier bought a 40 percent stake.

“Today, in addition to being a key economic enabler for Seychelles which has helped boost tourism and cargo numbers, Air Seychelles again takes its place for outstanding service,  international aspirations, and most of all for being a worthy ambassador for our beautiful island nation – a source of pride for all Seychellois,” said Morgan.

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, recognise the very best travel organisations in the world through a global vote by travel professionals from 171 countries.

Awards are presented for excellence in providing services in different categories of the world’s travel and tourism industry including air services, car rental services, spas, travel agencies and tour operators, hotels and resorts amongst others. The awards are first given on a regional basis, with the winners qualifying for the grand final of the World Travel Award. This year's grand final will be held in November.

“The World Travel Awards recognise and reward the best travel organisations and Air Seychelles is no exception.  The growth and development of the airline in such a short period of time has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Graham Cooke, the President of World Travel Awards.

“Air Seychelles has carved out a niche for itself as a boutique airline to the Indian Ocean, achieved through partnerships with a far reaching international footprint. Today it holds its own as an iconic airline brand delivering superlative service with its leading business class product combined with cabin crew service which is truly award winning.”

In terms of the regional airline business, Air Mauritius has been awarded the Indian Ocean's Leading airline while the Maldives' Ibrahim Nasir International Airport is the Indian Ocean's Leading Airport.

Other Seychelles businesses in the travel and tourism industry are proud winners of the 21st World Travel Awards for the Indian Ocean in their respective category.

Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa, Seychelles is the Indian Ocean's Leading Villa Resort and Seychelles' Leading Boutique Hotel, while the Hilton Labriz Resort and Spa is the Seychelles' Leading Spa Resort and the Seychelles' Leading Resort.

The Owners' Signature Villa at Enchanted Island Resort is the Seychelles' Leading Villa, while North Island, Seychelles is the Indian Ocean's Leading Green Resort, the Seychelles Port of Victoria is the Indian Ocean's Leading Cruise Port and Seychelles is also the Indian Ocean's Leading Cruise Destination.