MANAMA: British Airways (BA) has won the Best European Airline to the Middle East award for the ninth time since 2002.

BA received the award at the Business Traveller Middle East 2012 awards held at the Godolphin Ballroom, Jumeirah Emirates Tower in Dubai. The annual awards celebrate the achievements of the best regional and international operators in the Middle East across the hotel, airline, airport and car rental industries.

"London is a very popular destination for Middle East travellers and we are looking forward to the busy summer period, particularly since there are so many historic events happening this year, such as the Queen's diamond jubilee and the Olympics," BA's regional commercial manager for the Middle East Paolo De Renzis said.

"This award reflects our customers' trust in the airline's long heritage of expertise and experience," he added.

This summer ,British Airways is operating 61 weekly flights from eight GCC destinations to London Heathrow.