It was double glory for Emirates at the annual Aviation Business Awards in Abu Dhabi last night as the eminent carrier walked away with a duo of prestigious prizes.

The hotly contested award for Airline CEO of the Year was bestowed on HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

Receiving the prestigious prize on behalf of HH Sheikh Ahmed was Hamad Obaidalla, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President - Network Operations, who said he was honoured to be a representative of such a deserving recipient on this special occasion.

"In the last year, under the leadership of HH Sheikh Ahmed, Emirates has embarked on a number of initiatives. We welcomed the first three super jumbo Airbus; launched our "Emvironment" programme; seamlessly transitioned our passenger operations into Emirates Terminal 3 and Emirates SkyCargo operations into the Cargo Mega Terminal; and we posted record results again in the 2007-2008 financial year."

Mr Obaidalla was later called on to receive the award for Aviation Training Academy of the Year which was awarded to Emirates Aviation College (EAC) - Aerospace and Academic Studies. The college, which offers a variety of courses including vocational, academic, MBA, Air Traffic Control and other aviation related programmes, was honoured for being the very best in the region.

Since the college was established in 1991, more than 1,700 aerospace engineers and technicians and more than 2,000 air traffic controllers have graduated.

Mohammed Yousuf Al Budoor, Emirates Senior Vice President Academic Wing - EAC, commented, "The superb standard of aviation professionals in the region is testament to the excellent education and practical training they receive at EAC Aerospace Academic Studies. We are very proud to be the recipient of this award for the second consecutive year."

The winners were judged by a panel of regional industry experts. The winners were chosen for consistently delivering world-class services over the past 12 months, as well as their growth, outstanding performance levels and reliability.

Photograph: Hamad Obaidalla, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President - Network Operations, receives the award for Airline CEO of the Year on behalf of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, at the Aviation Business Awards.