Executive leadership

For the president/chief executive of a major and international airline operating across multiple continents or of substantial scale who has demonstrated outstanding strategic leadership, exhibited by actions through any of the following:

• Outstanding new strategic thinking in response to a dynamic environment;
• Agile corporate repositioning or adjustment to capture new marketplace opportunities or address threats;
• Business transformation or restructuring;
• Innovative customer-focused initiatives including new product or service development;
• Strong and visible leadership of his/her people in a time of crisis; or
• Industry-wide leadership with an impact on industry conditions.

Sponsored by Collins Aerospace

Sector Leadership

For the president/chief executive of a geographic- or business sector-focused airline who has demonstrated outstanding strategic leadership, exhibited by actions through any of the following:

• Outstanding new strategic thinking in response to a dynamic environment;
• Agile corporate repositioning or adjustment to capture new marketplace opportunities or address threats;
• Business transformation or restructuring;
• Innovative customer-focused initiatives including new product or service development;
• Strong and visible leadership of his/her people in a time of crisis; or
• Industry-wide leadership with an impact on industry conditions.

Sponsored by Cirium

Low-cost Leadership

For the president/chief executive of a low-fare or ultra-low-fare airline who has demonstrated outstanding strategic leadership, exhibited by actions through any of the following:

• Outstanding new strategic thinking in response to a dynamic environment;
• Agile corporate repositioning or adjustment to capture new marketplace opportunities or address threats;
• Business transformation or restructuring;
• Innovative customer-focused initiatives including new product or service development;
• Strong and visible leadership of his/her people in a time of crisis; or
• Industry-wide leadership with an impact on industry conditions.

Sponsored by Pratt & Whitney

Air-Cargo Leadership

For the president/chief executive of an airline or business unit providing heavy air cargo or express/courier services who has demonstrated outstanding strategic leadership, exhibited by actions through any of the following:

• Outstanding new strategic thinking in response to a dynamic environment;
• Agile corporate repositioning or adjustment to capture new marketplace opportunities or address threats;
• Business transformation or restructuring;
• Innovative customer-focused initiatives including new product or service development;
• Strong and visible leadership of his/her people in a time of crisis; or
• Industry-wide leadership with an impact on industry conditions.

Sponsored by SmartKargo

Business Innovation

For a newly formed airline of any business model or size – operating not typically for more than three years – that advances the state-of-the-art in the industry through true business innovation, exhibited by the airline’s actions through any of the following:

• Identification and pursuit of new markets;
• New business model development;
• New product or service development;
• Revenue diversification;
• New application of digital or other technology;

Sponsored by Volantio

Environment, Social & Governance (ESG)

For an airline of any business model or size that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the environment and sustainability, exhibited by the airline’s actions through any of the following:

• Environmental protection and consciousness;
• Embedding long-term sustainability objectives into business planning and culture;
• Innovating with new technological or business developments to help achieve environmental goals;
• Support of underprivileged classes or groups;
• Humanitarian aid; and
• Good corporate citizenship.

Sponsored by CFM

Diversity & Inclusion

This special award is made by Airline Business and Korn Ferry’s Civil Aviation Practice to recognise an airline organisation that has embraced and advanced diversity and inclusion in the broadest sense of the words. The winner is chosen based on achievement in areas such as increasing the diversity of a leadership team; promoting and advancing the careers of diverse leaders; and creating organisational conditions that contribute to attracting and retaining diverse leaders and professionals.

Category sponsorship available

Airline Business Award

This special award is made by Airline Business to recognise an individual making a lasting strategic contribution to the air transport business. Unlike the other awards, the final decision rests with the Airline Business team and represents recognition of strong leadership and strategic thinking.

Sponsored by Tampa International Airport