The maiden National Aviation Industry Awards, the sole Awards recognising the Ghanaian aviation industry, and an African benchmark of airline and aviation excellence has been held on 29th July in Accra at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel

The NATIONAL AVIATION AWARDS recognizes distinctions exhibited in every classification of the aviation industry. These categories are wide ranging and stretches from domestic and international airline operators, to service providers, travel and tourism companies, insurance and supportive financial institutions, local airports and many more.

The 2016 Awards is themed on recognizing the cream of Ghana's aviation industry and the unsung heroes of change over the years are recognized at the Aviation Awards

According to Mr. Richard Abbey Jnr, Events Director at Xodus Communications Limited, 'This industry gathering and networking forum champions excellence and improve business relationships'. The Awards, endorsed by the Ministry of Transport and owned by NineghtyEightz Company Limited is meant to streamline the provision of good customer service and create awareness for the depth of hard work and due diligence that goes into providing safe and secure compliant travel behind the scenes of the industry.

A total of 33 companies and individuals were recognized at this year's Awards. The event which brought together over 160 industry professionals was graced by the Deputy Minister of Tourism , Creative Arts and Culture, Mr. Simon Allotey, Director General of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Dr. Samson Fatokun, West Africa Area Manager of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Chief of Aburi, Otubour Nana Kwesi Djan. Dr. Samson Fatokun reiterated the need for credibility and integrity to make the Award attractive for the industry to participate every year . Deputy Minister of Tourism encouraged nominees to use the opportunity to promote tourism and peace especially in an election year.

The category winners included, Aviation Company Of The Year-Klm Royal Dutch Airline, Airline Operator Of The Year- Kenya Airways, Africa Airline Of The Year-Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise, Best Aviation Online Payment- Gt Bank (Ghana), Aviation Portal Of The Year-Wakanow, Aviation Institution Of The Year- International Travel And Tourism Institut (ITTI), Aviation Technology Achievement Award- Amadeus It Group, Best Customer Service Award- Emirates Airlines, Promising Aviation Company Of The Year- Aviation Profile And Security Services, Latex Foam Corporate Social Responsibility Award- Delta Air Lines-Ghana, Country Manager Of The Year - Axel Metselaar (Klm Royal Dutch Airlines),

Others were Brand Of The Year - Turkish Airlines, Accra, Aviation Cargo Transporter Award Of The Year- Emirates Airlines, Aviation Professional Of The Year - Akosua Okyere Nyarko, Domestic Airline Of The Year - Africa World Airlines, Marketing Campaign Of The Year- Klm Royal Dutch Airlines, Aviation Service Company Of The Year - Aviance Ghana, Logistics Company Of The Year- Consolidated Shipping Agencies Ltd (Conship), Aviation Travel Company Of The Year- Stellar Travel,Aviation Tourism Award- Kenpong Travel And Tours,International Airline Of The Year- Delta Air Lines-Ghana, Promising Airline Of The Year- Asky Airlines, Aviation Unsung Heroes Award - J.T Amoah

The industry gurus were also conferred with special recognitions. The Aviation Leadership Award went to-Air Commodore Victor Kwame Mamphey, West African Airline Of The Year-Arik Air, Excellence In Health, Safety, Environment & Quality Award- Africa World Airlines, Aviation Personality Of The Year- Mr. Kennedy Agyepong (Kenpong Travel & Tours),C.E.O Of The Year-Mr. Jacky Hathiramani (Dana Air)Indigenous Company Of The Year-Mcdan Shipping Company Limited,Aviation Insurance Company Of The Year-Sic Insurance Company-Pioneering Excellence In Domestic Airlines Alhaji Dr. Asoma Banda, Entrepreneur Of The Year-Dr. Daniel Mckorley (Mcdan Shipping Company Limited)

Xodus Communications Limited, the event organizers of the Aviation Awards bring to the forefront the experience in managing the GHANA OIL AND GAS AWARDS AND GHANA AUTO AWARDS.