International Air Transport Association (IATA) awarded the Dubai International Airport the Best Airport in the Middle East and Africa in its latest results of survey, United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s official WAM news agency reported Wednesday.

Dubai International Airport has for the third time secured "Best in the Middle East and Africa for Overall Passenger Satisfaction", said the IATA Global Airport Monitor report for the year 2004.

Based on the results of the IATA survey, the Airport Service Excellence Awards will be presented at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in June this year.

Last year, nearly 22 million passengers passed through Dubai International Airport and the figure is expected to reach 25 million this year.

"We work very hard to provide a very high standard of service and facility to all customers. We are able to achieve the high standards through a very innovative program called Dubai Airport Cares," commented Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2005)