According to survey findings by Skytrax, the specialist research advisors to the air transport industry, three Middle East carriers - Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways - have ranked higher in the 2009 list of top 10 airlines in the world, compared to a year earlier. Emirates came fifth, up from the ninth spot the airline occupied for the last two years. Etihad Airways moved up three notches to the seventh position this year, having made a fresh entry in the top 10 list last year. Qatar Airways, however, emerged the winner in the Middle East having earned the title for the 'Best Middle East Airline', as well as bagging the award for 'Best Economy Class'.