Yiannis Paraschis named the “Airport Chief Executive of the Year“ 2015 CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence Athens International Airport’s CEO, Yiannis Paraschis, was honoured with the “CAPA Airport Chief Executive of the Year“ Award yesterday evening in Helsinki, for his pioneering work at Athens Airport and his overall contribution to the international airport industry.
Within the framework of the 2015 World Aviation Summit of CAPA, the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services, AIA’s CEO, Yiannis Paraschis was awarded in the new “Airport Chief Executive of the Year” category, which was established this year, distinguishing the airport executive who has demonstrated outstanding strategic thinking and innovative direction for the growth of the specific airport business and the industry. Yiannis Paraschis was selected by the judging panel as the first CEO in the 13-year history of the CAPA excellence awards, “for his ability to thrive in an extremely difficult environment”, taking into account the remarkable strategic thinking demonstrated along with the introduction of innovative approaches that made a difference by offering new directions for others to take up.
The award to the Greek CEO is a very substantial distinction and acknowledgement of the remarkable achievements of Athens International Airport despite the challenging market conditions and the extremely difficult macroeconomic situation in Greece. This was achieved thanks to exemplary pioneering strategies implemented at Athens International Airport under the leadership of its CEO. Yiannis Paraschis has been AIA’s CEO since 2007, leading and expanding the airport through an extremely demanding period. Dr. Paraschis has also been active as board member of ACI World, serving as vice-chairman from 2009 to 2011 and chairman from 2011 to 2013.
Indicatively, certain of the innovative approaches adopted by Athens International Airport, making it one of the most distinguished and awarded airports internationally, are: commitment to IT&T innovation, keeping the highest level of services with continuous rise in productivity and reduction of operating costs, AIA’s high rating for its carbon footprint reduction strategies within the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, the creation of the largest unified PV installation at an airport worldwide, and, last but not least, the leadership achieved by Athens Airport in the field of airport marketing across the years, thanks to its pioneering, dynamic airline support programmes and incentives schemes. As the judging panel noted, under the leadership of its CEO, Athens International Airport continued to record consistent growth in passenger numbers despite the deep crisis. This was achieved thanks to targeted initiatives and programmes to support traffic development and the airport’s airline partners to the benefit of the passengers.
On the occasion of his selection as “Airport Chief Executive of the Year”, Dr. Paraschis said: “I feel deeply honoured with this distinction, which comes from the world leaders of independent aviation market intelligence. It emphasizes that, even going through the most severe conditions, a company governed efficiently and driven, at the same time, by the firm commitment of a highly capable and dedicated team of professionals, may achieve fantastic results. It is a tremendous satisfaction to see our work acknowledged internationally, positioning Athens among the model airports paving the way for the implementation of pioneer approaches and innovative practices. Dealing with significant challenges is never a one man show. This recognition belongs to the Athens International Airport and the total of 13,000 employees from 300 public and private sector operating entities, all members of the Athens airport community”. About the CAPA Centre for Aviation
Established in 1990, CAPA – Centre for Aviation is the leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services, covering worldwide developments. It has a specialist aviation team which works with airline, airport and the broader aviation industry, clients across the globe.
About the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence
The CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence have recognised strategic leadership in the aviation industry since 2002. The awards are not driven by customer surveys or sponsorship. They are independently researched by CAPA and Heidrick & Struggles and selected by an independent international panel of judges. 2015 is the first year CAPA introduced the “CAPA Airport Chief Executive of the Year”.
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