The 2025 Air Transport Awards are in partnership with Hermes - Air Transport Organisation and ATN - Air Transport News.
Welcoming the participants, Dr Kostas Iatrou, President of the 2025 Air Transport Awards said: “The Air Transport Awards from 2012 recognise the leaders in our industry based on their achievements”.
Ioanna Papadopoulou on receiving the Air Transport Awards – ATN Individual Award 2025: "It is a great honor and a privilege to receive the ATN Individual Award 2025, a distinction that reflects not only my personal journey but also the collective effort of a dedicated team of professionals at Athens International Airport.
Over the past years, Athens Airport has achieved remarkable progress, playing a key role in the development of the aviation sector and Greek tourism. Now, as we embark on a new chapter of growth and transformation, this award serves as both a personal recognition as well as a motivation.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues, partners, and everyone who supports our mission. This recognition is a reminder that success in our industry is never an individual achievement—it is the result of teamwork, passion, and strategic vision.
I would also like to extend my appreciation to ATN and the Air Transport Awards for providing such a significant platform for dialogue, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas in our industry. Events like this foster the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions that drive aviation forward."
“Vienna International Airport is one of Europe's most forward-moving airports: We are continuously expanding our route network, investing in modern infrastructure such as the Southern Expansion of Terminal 3, and actively driving sustainability. With a diverse range of destinations, high service quality, and strong airline partnerships, we are further strengthening Vienna’s position as a leading international hub – today and for the future. We are therefore delighted to receive the ATN Corporate Award," says Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.
"We are honored to receive the ATN International Organisation Award for 2025. This recognition reflects AACO’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Arab aviation and the broader industry by fostering regional collaboration and driving innovation for a more connected and sustainable future.” said Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General of AACO.
Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias said: “We are honoured to receive the Alliance of the Year award from Air Transport Awards. It is testament to our focus on enabling seamless customer experiences across our member airlines. From booking a flight to enjoying loyalty benefits, we aim to make every journey as effortless as possible. We're delighted at this acknowledgement.”
“Accepting this award for the second year in row is a proud moment for Embraer. 2025 has kicked off strongly with record results for 2024 and an E2 order from All Nippon Airways. 2025 is already shaping up to be another strong year for Embraer, and not just in E2 sales – the 190F E-Freighter is now triple certified, C-390 is winning orders across NATO andthe world, and Executive Jets just announced a blockbusting US$7bn order for 182 aircraft. This is award is a recognition of Embraer’s commitment to engineering excellence and our dedication to serving customers, thank you.” Arjan Meijer, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
"At iGA Istanbul Airport, we are honored to have been awarded this prestigious award for the fifth consecutive year. Being named as the Airport of the Year is a testament to the unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of our entire team, who consistently pursue excellence in every aspect of our operations. Together, we are committed to raising the bar in efficiency, sustainability, innovation, and passenger experience. With even more ambitious goals set for 2025, this recognition reaffirms our steadfast commitment to delivering world-class services. We are truly humbled to be acknowledged as a leader in the industry and extend our gratitude to the Air Transport Awards team for this esteemed honor. We remain dedicated to providing the highest level of service for our passengers and stakeholders, striving to exceed expectations every step of the way.” said Selahattin Bilgen, CEO, iGA Istanbul Airport.
Dr Christos Tsitouras, Governor of HCAA: “I feel honoured to receive the “Katerina & George Iatrou” Lifetime Achievement Award in the memory of Kostas’ beloved parents. George Iatrou was an esteemed executive at the National Mortgage Bank of Greece and an eminent figure of Ekali where I also live. Katerina Iatrou was a very supportive mother who played a major role in shaping Kostas’ multidimensional character and charismatic personality. In fact, this award bestowed upon me by Kostas and his family reflect the importance of intergenerational solidarity and fully encapsulate the essence of aviation: actively learning from the past; meticulously implementing at present; and thoroughly designing ahead for a sustainable and resilient future.”
Mehmet T. Nane, Chairperson of the Board of Pegasus Airlines, stated: "I am incredibly proud that Pegasus Airlines has been awarded ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2025 Air Transport Awards, a recognition that reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work of our entire team. This honour, alongside my personal recognition as ‘Leader of the Year,’ makes this moment even more meaningful. These awards are a testament to Pegasus Airlines’ unwavering commitment to excellence, enhancing the travel experience for our guests, and driving pioneering initiatives across key priority areas such as technology and sustainability. Indeed, sustainability is at the heart of our strategy as we work towards our mission of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This includes our continued investment in next-generation aircraft, which has enabled us to maintain one of the youngest fleets in the world. We remain steadfast in our mission to connect people, push the boundaries of innovation in aviation, and shape the future of air travel for generations to come."
In particular, the winners by category are as follows:
-ATN Individual Award: Ioanna Papadopoulou
-ATN Corporate Award: Vienna International Airport
-ATN International Organisation Award: AACO
-Alliance of the Year: Star Alliance
-Manufacturer of the Year: Embraer
-Airport of the Year: iGA Istanbul Airport
-Airline of the Year: Pegasus Airlines
-“Katerina & George Iatrou” Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Christos Tsitouras,
Governor, HCAA
-Leader of the Year: Mehmet Nane, Chairperson, Pegasus
About the Air Transport Awards
The Air Transport Awards are m international prizes of and for the air transport industry. The awards are recognition of excellence and of the achievements of the aviation sector. The annual awards are bestowed to organisations, companies and leaders of the air transport industry.
Tags: Mehmet T. Nane Pegasus Airlines, Julian Jäger, Vienna Airport, Dr Christos Tsitouras, HCAA , Selahattin Bilgen, iGA Istanbul Airport, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, AACO, Dr Kostas Iatrou, 2025 Air Transport Awards,
