LOUNGE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2013

Recognizing the world’s best in class airport VIP lounges

Press Pack – 30th June 2013

www.prioritypass.com

Abu Dhabi airport lounge voted best in Middle East and Africa in the 2013 Priority Pass Lounge of the Year Awards 30th June 2013 – The Al Dhabi Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport has been voted the best airport lounge in the Middle East and Africa. Nearly 60,000 Priority Pass members voted based on their experiences of the programme’s lounges globally and against a set of criteria for lounge quality including refreshments, staff, business facilities and overall ambience. Now in their ninth year, the awards recognise excellence within Priority Pass’s network of over 600 partner-operated lounges worldwide. Fully refurbished in 2011, the Al Dhabi Lounge caters primarily for business travellers, most of who are making single flights rather than being in transit. Mohammed Al Bulooki Chief Commercial Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company said: “Winning this award confirms that ADAC’s efforts to attain excellence in all its services and offerings are heading towards achieving the company’s vision of becoming one of the world‘s leading airport groups.

“The team’s aim is to exceed guest’s expectations by delivering a remarkable and personalised service. ADAC is very proud of the achieved track record in satisfying its guests and leaving a memorable impression of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

The overall global award went to the Pau Casals VIP lounge at Barcelona’s El Prat airport in Spain.

Business Manager MEA for Priority Pass, Soukalin Ghosh said: "With so many of our members taking part, Lounge of the Year provides the most comprehensive overview of the quality of the world’s airport lounges in 2013. “For the past eight years, the Lounge of the Year awards has given Priority Pass members the opportunity to provide us and our partners with their feedback regarding what they value in an airport lounge. As our members are regular travellers, many of them on business, airport lounges are a key contributor to a smooth and productive trip. “The Al Dhabi Lounge delivers on the needs of business travelers, providing a contemporary, zoned space, offering key business facilities including free wifi, whilst also being family friendly, with a play area for kids. There is also an open bar and a wonderfully stocked buffet. All of this, delivered within a relaxed atmosphere have been recognized by Priority Pass

members as winning attributes. We congratulate the team behind the Al Dhabi Lounge on all their efforts to create and maintain this lovely facility. ” There were a total of nine winners in the Priority Pass 2013 Lounge of the Year Awards, including five regional winners: Global Best Lounge: Pau Casals VIP lounge, Barcelona El Prat Global Best Refreshments: No.1 Heathrow, Terminal 3, London Heathrow Airport Global Best Staff: Escape Lounge, Terminal 1, Manchester Airport Global Best Business Facilities: Dilmun Lounge, Bahrain International Airport Asia Pacific: Louis’ Tavern CIP First Class Lounge, International Terminal, Concourse G, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Europe: Pau Casals VIP lounge, Barcelona El Prat (Global Winner) Latin America and Caribbean: Sumaq VIP Lounge and Business Centre, Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport Middle East and Africa: Al Dhabi Lounge, Abu Dhabi International Airport North America: United Club, Terminal E, Houston Texas International Airport High resolution Images plus video content of the winning lounge can be found at www.prioritypass.com/mealoungeoftheyear2013

ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS: Priority Pass Priority Pass provides frequent travellers with airport lounge access, irrespective of their class of travel, airline flown or existing membership in an airline loyalty programme. Launched in 1992, Priority Pass now offers more than 600 airport lounges worldwide in 300 cities in over 100 countries. Priority Pass is part of Priority Travel Group, a division of The Collinson Group, specialising in the international travel clubs and services sector. For more information, visit www.prioritypass.com. For further press information and images: Alisa D’souza Blue Apple Mediacom T +9714 4390161 M +9715 7858298 Email: Alisa@blueappleco.com

Stephen Simpson Global Marketing Director, Priority Pass

Stephen joined Priority Pass in 2013 to build on the existing global reach and strategic planning of its marketing endeavours, as well as to drive the brand to ensure it delivers against significant commercial objectives for growth.

He has over 12 years experience working in senior management within telecoms, technology, energy and retail sectors, across three continents. Stephen’s career has a strong focus on delivering global marketing strategies, while driving regional and channel implementation.

Before joining Priority Pass, Stephen was Global Consumer Marketing Director at AVG Technologies, a security software firm. Prior to that, he worked at the global telecoms provider Orange-France Telecoms Group and the Carphone Warehouse Group, the European based telecoms retailer, as well as several businesses in his home country of Australia.

Stephen is delighted to bring his experience to an industry for which he is very passionate about, having himself been a frequent business traveler for over a decade.

Mohammed Al Bulooki Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) Mohammed Al Bulooki has held the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) since August 2011. In his role, Al Bulooki directs and drives the growing commercialization agenda at ADAC. Al Bulooki is responsible for building momentum, optimising returns and delivering on the policy agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi.

In addition, he oversees all aspects of commercial development including the delivery of a Master Plan for the Free Zone / Land & Property development, and leading all commercial interfaces with the Midfield Terminal Complex, as well as the business development plan for the existing retail and advertising business. Previously, Mohammed Al Bulooki was the Vice President of Al Bateen Executive Airport, where he oversaw the operation of Al Bateen, and its transformation into a seven star airport for private and corporate jets. In parallel, Al Bulooki held the position of General Manager of the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) at ADAC He also held various positions in Marketing and Airline Marketing. Mohammed holds a Bachelors degree (BEng) in Air Transport Engineering from City University, London, and a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Technology from Abu Dhabi Men’s College in conjunction with Brunel College (UK).