Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" was honoured Monday, June 13th, in Paris with a new prestigious international distinction, the "Aerospace Industry Awards 2005", in the "Infrastructure & Environment" Award category, within the framework of the 46th International Paris Air Show*, the biggest industry international exposition (Le Bourget, June 13 - 19, Paris). Being the country's main gateway for millions of passengers during the Olympic period, the Athens airport was awarded for demonstrating operational excellence during the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in the fields of operational planning, infrastructure, passenger & airline services, and environmental protection against increased airline activities. Furthermore, the international air-transport community acknowledged that, Athens International Airport created an excellent operational & business environment with long term significant benefits for airlines and the Athens airport users. Launched in 1994, Flight International’s** "Aerospace Industry Awards", are accepted as an important programme recognising excellence in the aviation sector. A panel of independent expert aviation judges selects the winners of the 10 industry categories, whereas companies competing this year included brands as Airbus, Boeing, Rolls Roys, Jeppesen, etc.
"It is a great honour for us to receive this distinction rewarding Athens International Airport's achievements of 2004 in global aerospace", stressed AIA's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, receiving the Award at the ceremony held at the Pavillon d' Armenonville, in Paris. "Furthermore, this distinction addresses all the members of the Athens International Airport community, for the excellent cooperation and team spirit demonstrated during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Athens"
* Paris Air Show is the most prestigious industry international exposition, and is held every odd year, at Le Bourget airport near Paris. It is organised by Gifas (Groupement des Industries Francaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales), the French aerospace industry's body. Relevant link: (http://www.paris-air-show.com) ** With a history of more than 90 years, Flight International is a magazine of choice for the global aviation industry. It provides its readers with the latest news from the defence, general aviation, technology, and spaceflight sectors. The “Aerospace Industry Awards” return in Paris in 2005, alternating between the Paris and Asian Aerospace shows.