{"id":1074,"date":"2020-03-04T23:21:18","date_gmt":"2020-03-04T20:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hermes.aero\/?page_id=1074"},"modified":"2025-10-28T16:11:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T13:11:57","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/?page_id=1074","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In 2004 Dr Kostas Iatrou co-founded the Hellenic Aviation Society in Greece. His dream had always been to establish an international organization whose members would be the decision-makers of the air transport industry.<\/p>\n<p>Dr Iatrou successfully launched in 2006 ATN \u2013 Air Transport News, one of the key B2B media in commercial aviation globally. The success of ATN \u2013 Air Transport News has allowed him to interact and network with the decision makers of the air transport and to participate in the key events of the industry.<\/p>\n<p>In 2012 Dr Iatrou shared his idea of establishing Hermes, which was initially founded as a networking club, managed by ATN \u2013 Air Transport News. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Advisory Committee brought together to develop the project consisted of Vijay Poonoosamy (the first President and honorary member), Robert Deillon (Vice President), Dr Elijah Chingosho, Dr Pierre Coutu, Mohamed Elamiri, Mauro Oretti, Ioanna Papadopoulou, Dr Andreas Papatheodorou and Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus. After a series of meetings, the Committee agreed and signed the Memorandum and Articles of Hermes Air Transport Club.<\/p>\n<p>On the 16<sup>th<\/sup> of March 2013 Hermes was founded in Montreal, Canada in a small ceremony held at Hilton Bonaventure.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>On the 6<sup>th<\/sup> of December 2014 Hermes hosted the Centennial Awards and presented the book <i>100 Years of Commercial Aviation<\/i> in partnership with ICAO, ACI, CANSO and IATA at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal. In the same event, Raymond Benjamin, Secretary General of ICAO became the first Honorary Member of Hermes.<\/p>\n<p>In June 2016, Hermes hosted its first reception at the IATA AGM in Dublin. In October of the same year Hermes hosted a reception in the ICAO Triennial Assembly during which Dr Benard Olumuyiwa Aliu, President of ICAO Council became Hermes\u2019s Second Honorary Member. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the summer of 2017 the Hermes Board took the landmark decision to transform Hermes from a Club to a non for profit organization based in Montreal, Canada, the aviation capital of the world.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the beginning of 2018, the Hermes Board decided to actively contribute to air transport by launching its annual recommendations on key aviation issues.<\/p>\n<p>On the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> of March 2018, the first <i>Hermes Leaders Forum<\/i> took place in Ekali, a suburb of Athens, Greece, with the theme being <i>Ownership and Control in Aviation<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>On the 11<sup>th<\/sup> of July 2018 Hermes officially became a non for profit organisation.<\/p>\n<p>On the 23<sup>rd<\/sup> of July 2018 the Arab Air Carriers Organization and Hermes signed a Partnership Exchange Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n<p>On the 1<sup>st<\/sup> of November 2018 the European Regions Airline Association signed with Hermes a reciprocal Membership Agreement.<\/p>\n<p>With the objective of continuing strengthening partnerships within the aviation industry, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and Hermes Air Transport Organisation signed on the 22<sup>nd<\/sup> of January 2019 a Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n<p>On the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> of May 2019, <i>Hermes AGM &amp; Leaders Forum<\/i> took place in Ekali with the theme being <i>Education and Performance in Aviation<\/i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>During the Forum the participants had the opportunity to see and listen to Mozart\u2019s Costa Violin. Vijay Poonoosamy became the Third Honorary Member after his decision not to renew his term as President. Jeff Poole was unanimously named President of Hermes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>On the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> of June 2019, the African Airlines Association and Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation signed a MoU to deepen their cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>On the 27<sup>th<\/sup> of June 2019 Hermes was invited to participate as an Observer to the 40<sup>th<\/sup> ICAO Assembly and submitted two information papers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>On the 24<sup>th<\/sup> of September 2019 Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation and EUROCONTROL signed a Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n<p>On the 26<sup>th<\/sup> of October 2019 IATA and Hermes signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>On the 30<sup>th<\/sup> of April 2020, <i>Hermes AGM &amp; Leaders Forum<\/i> took place online with the theme <i>being Air Transport Re-imagined and Re-invented<\/i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Salvatore Sciacchitano became the Fourth Honorary Member (the ceremony was held on Friday 28 August 2020).<\/p>\n<p>On the 28<sup>th<\/sup> of August 2020 during the <i>2020 Summer Aviation Forum<\/i> and the <i>2020 Air Transport Awards<\/i>, Pieter Elbers, CEO of KLM, receives the 2020 Hermes Award.<\/p>\n<p>On the 22<sup>nd<\/sup> of October 2020 iPADIS and Hermes concludes MoU on cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>On the 9<sup>th<\/sup> of July 2021, during the 2021 Hermes AGM &amp; Leaders Forum, held in Ekali, Airlines for America (A4A) and Hermes Air Transport Organisation announced a new Memorandum of Understanding.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>On the same day, University of the Aegean, Greece, and the Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>On the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> of October 2021 during the IATA AGM Hermes reception, Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the Council, ICAO received the 2021 Hermes Award.<\/p>\n<p>On the 10<sup>th<\/sup> of February 2022, during the <i>2022 Air Transport Awards<\/i> held in Ekali, Harry Theocharis received the 2022 Hermes Award. Also Dr Kostas Iatrou, Director General of Hermes was bestowed with the 2022 Keramianakis Award of Hellenic Aviation Society for his contribution to air transport.<\/p>\n<p>On the 9<sup>th<\/sup> of June 2022, Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation held the 2022 Hermes AGM &amp; Leaders Forum hosted by EUROCONTROL.<\/p>\n<p>On the 8<sup>th<\/sup> of December 2022 at the <i>International Aviation Summit: The Future of Air Transport<\/i> held in Ekali and further to an initiative of Dr Kostas Iatrou, a Declaration was signed to lay down the foundation for the launch of a new collaboration mechanism under a form of a High-Level Organization. This Declaration sought to ensure the global coordination and facilitate decision-making processes for the top level of aviation leading organizations.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Leaders committed to work together to establish the International Aviation Forum.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In particular, the Declaration was signed by some of the top leaders of the aviation industry, i.e. Fabio Gamba. Director General of ASA; Simon Hocquard, Director General of CANSO; Dr Kostas Iatrou, Director General of Hermes &#8211; Air Transport Organisation; Mehmet Nane, Chair of the Board of Governors at IATA and Glyn Hughes, Director General of TIACA.<\/p>\n<p>Hermes celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday 19 March 2023 in the same place that was established, Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>Mehmet Nane, Chair, Board of Governors of IATA received the 2023 Hermes Award. The ceremony took place\u00a0during the 2023 Air Transport Awards on Sunday 19 March held in Montreal, Canada.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday 22 September 2023, Airport Services Association \u2013 ASA and Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n<p>During the International Aviation Summit held in Ekali on Friday 8 December, TIACA and Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen their cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>Aviation leaders commit to work together in order to promote the value and benefits of aviation. The declaration unveiled in Ekali at the International Aviation Summit on Friday 8 December 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Ekali, 8 December 2024: In recognition of the 80<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of ICAO and the signing of the Chicago Convention, a number of international organizations and leading aviation businesses have united to commit to a vision for an even better tomorrow. Under the <b>Aviation4All<\/b> Declaration, an initial group of 43 organizations and businesses, jointly assert their commitment to the International Aviation Forum (IAF) document which addresses the most critical aspects of commercial aviation to ensure sustainable and prosperous growth.<\/p>\n<p>During the 2025 Hermes AGM &amp; Leaders Forum on Friday 20 June held in Athens, Greece, CANSO and Hermes \u2013 Air Transport Organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Board of Directors<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2013-14<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President &#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Prof Martin Dresner<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Catalin Radu<br \/>\nAdministrator &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p><b>2014-15<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President &#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Prof Martin Dresner<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nAdministrator &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p><b>2015-16<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President &#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Prof Martin Dresner<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nAdministrator &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p><b>2016-17<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President &#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Prof Martin Dresner<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nAdministrator &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p><b>2017-18<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President &#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Angela Gittens<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nAdministrator &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p><b>2018-19<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Vijay Poonoosamy<br \/>\nVice President\u00a0&amp; Treasurer\u00a0&#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nSecretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Angela Gittens<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Jeff Poole<\/p>\n<p><b>2019-20<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nVice President\u00a0&amp; Treasurer\u00a0&#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nSecretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Angela Gittens<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Luis Felipe de Oliveira<\/p>\n<p><b>2020-21<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nVice President\u00a0&amp; Treasurer\u00a0&#8211; Robert Deillon<br \/>\nSecretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Angela Gittens<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Luis Felipe de Oliveira<\/p>\n<p><b>2021-22<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Jeff Poole<br \/>\nVice President\u00a0&amp; Treasurer\u00a0&#8211; Luis Felipe de Oliveira<br \/>\nSecretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Angela Gittens<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Henrik Hololei<br \/>\nMember &#8211; Eamonn Brennan<\/p>\n<p><b>2022-23<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Angela Gittens<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &#8211; Eamonn Brennan<\/p>\n<p>Secretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p>Treasurer &#8211; Professor Andreas Papatheodorou<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Nick Calio<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Henrik Hololei<\/p>\n<p><b>2023-24<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Angela Gittens<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &#8211; Eamonn Brennan<\/p>\n<p>Secretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p>Treasurer &#8211; Professor Andreas Papatheodorou<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Nick Calio<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Mehmet T. Nane<\/p>\n<p><b>2024-25<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Angela Gittens<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &amp; Treasurer &#8211; Mehmet T. Nane<\/p>\n<p>Secretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p>Treasurer &#8211; Professor Andreas Papatheodorou<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Nick Calio<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Simon Hocquard<\/p>\n<p><b>2025-26<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>President &#8211; Angela Gittens<\/p>\n<p>Vice President &amp; Treasurer &#8211; Mehmet T. Nane<\/p>\n<p>Secretary &amp; Director General &#8211; Dr Kostas Iatrou<\/p>\n<p>Treasurer &#8211; Professor Andreas Papatheodorou<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Nick Calio<\/p>\n<p>Member &#8211; Simon Hocquard<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2004 Dr Kostas Iatrou co-founded the Hellenic Aviation Society in Greece. His dream had always been to establish an international organization whose members would be the decision-makers of the air transport industry. Dr Iatrou successfully launched in 2006 ATN \u2013 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1074"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1074"}],"version-history":[{"count":52,"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3961,"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1074\/revisions\/3961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hermes.aero\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}