Aer Lingus has won an award normally the preserve of its no-frills rival Ryanair - the Best Overall Value Award.

Following a survey of 1,000 chief executives by the Air Transport Users Council, the State-owned airline won the award, which Aer Lingus chief executive Mr Willie Walsh said gave him particular pleasure.

Ryanair failed to turn up for the awards ceremony because of a board meeting it had at the same time. The only category Ryanair won was for "best online services". The airline described giving the award to Aer Lingus as "bizarre". Ryanair's communications manager, Mr John Rowley, said in a statement: "Only a bunch of complete idiots could possibly vote Aer Lingus as best value airline. Aer Lingus's fares are four times higher than Ryanair's. If this is what passes for best value among the top 1,000 chief executives in the survey, then maybe they're still drinking too much free champagne on Aer Lingus's over-priced flights."

Aer Lingus also won best overall airline, while British Midland won two awards ("London routes" and "other UK routes"), and Lufthansa won for "other routes". The best Irish airport was Cork.