Last 26 June, Michael Harrington, President and Director General of Airlines International Representation in Europe (AIRE), received the Leader Award at the Aviation & Tourism Awards, held as part of the Summer Aviation Forum organised by Air Transport News in Skiathos, Greece. The award recognises his extensive contributions to aviation policy, the advancement of accessibility for passengers with disabilities, and his representation of the industry within European decision-making fora.
The Aviation & Tourism Awards also honoured several other organisations and industry leaders for their contributions to the aviation sector:
- The Connectivity Award was presented to Ethiopian Airlines in recognition of its role in strengthening connectivity across Africa and supporting aviation development throughout the continent.
- The Corporate Award was awarded to Emirates for its strong financial performance, customer-focused strategy, and continued resilience.
- The Organisation Award was presented to ASE Group for its contributions to aviation services and workforce development initiatives.
During his keynote address at the Forum, Mr Harrington addressed a range of key issues affecting the aviation sector, including the revision of the EU Passenger Rights Regulation (EC261), ongoing regulatory challenges, sustainability policies, and the future competitiveness of European aviation.
He highlighted the growing gap between expert policy recommendations and political decision-making, while welcoming progress in the long-discussed revision of EU passenger rights legislation. While recognising the importance of strengthening passenger rights, he also expressed concerns regarding the lack of balance in the current proposals and their potential impact on operational costs for airlines and, ultimately, passengers.
Mr Harrington further stressed the importance of ensuring that regulatory frameworks reflect operational and economic realities while supporting a sustainable and competitive aviation sector. He also raised concerns about regulatory fragmentation, the practical challenges of implementing sustainability measures, and the need for greater investment in training, education, and talent retention across the industry.
In accepting the award, Mr Harrington underlined the value of industry events that foster dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among aviation stakeholders in an increasingly dynamic and evolving sector.
