An Athens International Airport initiative

 

 

The annual Airport Chief Executives’ Symposium “ACES – Athens”, an initiative launched in 2013 by Athens International Airport, took place for the 5th consecutive year, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the new landmark of the city of Athens.  

 

The “ACES-Athens” celebrated its 5th anniversary this year; while consistently aiming at highlighting the importance of constructive dialogue, this International Symposium highlights, on the one hand, the interdependence between airports and the destinations they serve, and on the other, the overall contribution of the aviation industry and airports to the economic development of their destinations. 

 

Initiator and host of “ACES-Athens”, the Athens International Airport presented an overview of the years  2013-2017, and the evolution that took place in tourism and aviation during the specific 5-year period as reflected in the Athens market; furthermore, light was  shed on the characteristics and the cluster of initiatives, synergies and partnerships among the tourism and aviation industry players, that contributed to  Athens’ resurgence as a prime tourist destination. 

 

More than 160 top executives from the air transport, finance, and tourism sectors, responded to the call of Athens International Airport to this year’s “ACES-Athens” that was held under the title ”Western Threats and Eastern Promises”, and focused on the following issues:

Prominent executives from the global aviation industry, tourism, and travel & trade services, honoured the 5th ACES-Athens as keynote speakers and panelists:  

 

Ms Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World, Mr Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE, Mr Henrik Hololei, Director General for Mobility and Transport, DG Energy & Transport of the European Commission, Mr Phillippe Blanchard, Partner, Brunswick, Mr Declan Collier, CEO, London City Airport & President, ACI World, Prof. Rigas Doganis, Visiting Professor, Cranfield University, Prof. Pablo Mendes de Leon, Director of International Institute of Air & Space Law, Leiden University, Dr Stefan Schulte, CEO, Fraport AG, Dr Lei Zheng, President, Institute for Aviation research (UK), Dr Michael Kerkloh, CEO & President ADV, Flughafen München GmbH & President ACI EUROPE, Mr Yiannis Retsos, President, SETE-Greek Tourism Confederation & Managing Director, Electra Hotels & Resorts, Mr Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Copenhagen Airport A/S, Mr Kai Cui, Vice President – European Markets, Alibaba Group – Fliggy, and the CEO of Athens International Airport, Dr Yiannis Paraschis. 

 

The Mayor of Athens, Mr Yiorgos Kaminis, honoured the Symposium with his presence, and, in his address, emphasised the importance of the close collaboration of all entities for the promotion of Athens as a destination, an effort that has already produced evident results.

 

Addressing the ACES – Athens guests, the CEO of Athens International Airport, Yiannis Paraschis, stated: 

 

“For the fifth consecutive year, the “ACES – Athens”, an institution we aspired to establish 5 years ago, served as an ideal platform for the ‘synthesis’ and exchange of points of view among top level experts. 

 

This year, we dealt with critical matters that constitute significant challenges for the tourism and air transport sectors. Our first panel discussed the Brexit issue, mainly focusing on the important impact and repercussions  for aviation and tourism. Furthermore, we had the opportunity  to exchange data and ideas as regards to the current relations between China and Europe and the prospects as well as the expectations of the Chinese traveler, mainly aiming at identifying those prerequisites needed in order to  “unlock” a market of great importance, which, however, is for the time being, yet underdeveloped.”  

 

We celebrated our Symposium’s 5th anniversary: the Athens airport is growing along with our destination, the City of Athens, which has gained itself a position among the most attractive global destinations during the last years. All the parties and entities being part of the tourism value chain, have been working together to “build” an “Athenian DNA”; through common actions, programmes and campaigns, we have created our city’s “new DNA”.  

 

Finally, the fact that UNESCO  named Athens the World Book Capital for 2018, gave birth to our next initiative: In 2018, the airport will “present” another aspect of its corporate entity. Besides connecting destinations, an airport is primarily connecting people, and, in fact, …human stories. We  will,  therefore, present within 2018 the  #HubOfStories and #AthensAirPortraits! 

 

As hosts of this significant international gathering in Athens, we would like to cordially thank our distinguished speakers and guests of this year’s “ACES-Athens”, mainly for their dedication to the importance of partnership and dialogue.”  

 

 

 

Athens International Airport’s Press Office

tel.: +30 210 3537227