2.2 Athens International Airport Airline Marketing Conference
“The sound of the future”
Athens International Airport awarded the airlines
that achieved the fastest recovery in 2022
Focusing on the challenges that the next day holds for the aviation industry and the successive developments that take place in the international airport environment and in the universe of technology, the Airline Marketing Conference was held again this year, in the presence of more than 200 attendees.
With the inventive and symbolic title “Sounding the Future”, the 2.2 Conference (the second of the post-pandemic era and the 22nd since the opening of the airport) brought together AIA, members of the Athens airport community, distinguished speakers from the field of aviation and beyond, sustainable tourism, high technology, the development of artificial intelligence and futurology, in a meeting with an eye on the future and sustainable development.
The invited speakers and AIA representatives “composed” together the “Sounding of the Future”, with a dense thematology, which reflects the dual meaning of the English title “The Sounding of the Future”, which refers to the “sounds”, the exploration, orchestration and “composition of the future”, but also – playing a language game with the term market sounding – the constant tracing and investigation of the market.
- Overview of the Athens aviation market in 2022
- “What’s coming? Trends, risks, opportunities in aviation”
Discussion with IATA Regional Vice President Rafael Schvartzman (live-streaming) and from left, Nikos Joseph, Director of Airport Traffic Services / AIA, Robert Chad, IATA, Area Manager France, Belgium, The Netherlands & Southern Europe, EUR-Field Offices and Air Serbia CEO Jiri Marek. Coordination by Ioanna Papadopoulou Director of Communication & Marketing, AIA.
- “An…airport conversation – The Airport Talk”
A discussion with Angela Gittens, former Director General of the Airports Council International (ACI World)
The first “You’re An Athenian, too!” to Angela Gittens, former Director General of the Airports Council International (ACI World), for her valuable and long-standing contribution to the promotion and promotion of Athens in particularly difficult times!
- “Travelling in an age of chaos – Geopolitical developments and aviation“, by Arthur Snell, Former British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago & Former Assistant Director for Counter – Terrorism at Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Arthur Snell, former British High Commissioner for Trinidad and Tobago & Former Assistant Director for Counter – Terrorism at Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
- “Sounding the Future”, by Futurist & Humanist, Gerd Leonhard, author of the book “Technology vs Humanity” & CEO “The Futures Agency”
O Gerd Leonhard, Futurist & Humanist.
- “Access” to sustainable aviation and sustainable tourism
A discussion with Luigi Cabrini, Chairman of the Board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Alexia Panagiotopoulou, Head of Strategy of the Development Company & Athens Tourism Promotion Agency (EATA) and Maria Kapralou, AIA, Head of Assistance Services for People with Disabilities and/or Reduced Mobility. The discussion was moderated by the journalist Thodoris Georgakopoulos
- The “Sound” of the Future,
by Dimitrios Vassilakis, President of Jazz Democracy NPO, Artistic Director & Founder of RIJF – How jazz music can teach us to dialogue in a more equal, human, democratic and creative way
- “Foreseeing the Future? Artificial Intelligence & Game Theory”
By Dr Konstantinos Daskalakis, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT
A special symbolic moment of this year’s Conference was the musical bridge connecting the past with the present and the future, as presented by the composer Telemachos Moussa and his band, with the electronic “theremin” (etherophone), which was invented in 1920 and is the only “contactless” musical instrument that produces music without physical contact with the artist.
The Conference closed with a message from the CEO of Athens International Airport, Yannis Paraschis, who referred to the positive results of last year, the excellent cooperation and the effort made by the entire airport community, effectively facing the significant challenges of 2022, but also in view of the challenges ahead for the industry, in the light of international challenges, the volatility of the geopolitical situation, the rapid development of technology and the major environmental issue, giving
AIA’s awards to the airlines with the most successful growth path in 2022
At the same time, Athens International Airport has once again rewarded the airlines that recorded the most successful recovery and growth during the previous year, with significant recovery rates and increased passenger traffic on their regular routes to and from Athens.
This year’s awards in detail:
- Award for the fastest recovery in the domestic market
SKY express was awarded for the fastest recovery in the domestic market in 2022. AEGEAN received an honorary distinction.
- Award for the fastest market recovery in Western Europe
Volotea was awarded for the fastest recovery in the Western European market. Wizz Air received an honourable mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery in the Eastern European market
Tarom won the award for the fastest recovery in the Eastern European market. Wizz Air received an honourable mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery in the Middle East market
The award for the fastest recovery in the Middle East market was won by Gulf Air. El Al received an honourable mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery in the African market
The award for the fastest recovery in the African market was won by EGYPTAIR. AEGEAN received an honourable mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery in the Asian market
The award for the fastest recovery in the Asian market was won by Scoot. Air China received an honorable mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery in the American market
Emirates won the award for the fastest recovery in the Americas market.
- Award for fastest recovery on a seasonal route in the US market
The award was won by Delta Air Lines. Air Canada received an Honorable Mention.
- Award for the fastest recovery on a seasonal route in the European market
The award was won by Brussels Airlines. Air Baltic received an honorary distinction.
- Award for the highest growth rate in 2022
Η SKY express was awarded as the airline with the highest growth rate (in percentage terms) at Athens International Airport in 2022.
- Award for the highest passenger traffic in 2022
Η AEGEAN was awarded as the airline with the highest passenger traffic at Athens International Airport in 2022.
- The 1st “You’re AnAthenian, too!” award was presented to Angela Gittens, former Director General of the Airports Council International (ACI World), for her valuable and long-standing contribution to the promotion and promotion of Athens in particularly difficult times,
Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communication & Marketing of AIA, said of this year’s conference:
“It was with great pleasure and excitement that we organised this year’s Conference, which was in fact the first full conference in 3 years. We met our aviation partners in the excellent venue of the Athens Conservatory to explore trends, risks and opportunities and share the knowledge and wisdom of distinguished speakers.
Our two-way and efficient relationship with our airline partners, and our common path, is characterised by the energy and spirit of excellent cooperation and adaptability in the aviation and tourism sector. We are together to compose and orchestrate the next day and, expressing our thanks to the airlines once again, we remain true to the principles of meaningful cooperation and support that we have built.”