As part of the work of the 42nd ICAO session in Montreal, the Commander of the Civil Aviation Service (CAA)Mr. George Sounatsoscompleted a series of major meetings last week with prominent representatives of European and International Civil Aviation organizations, confirming the productive climate of cooperation and the extraterrestrial strategy of the service.
Meeting with the president of the ICAO Council and its senior executives
A meeting was held with Mr. Salvatore SciacchitanoPresident of the Council of ICAO, in the presence of the Ambassador of Greece to ICAO, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos and the Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Authority (APA), Mr. Kalliopi Lykos. The president underlined the importance of the Greek delegation and highlighted the value of effective management of complex issues and political processes, which lead to necessary consensus on the smooth development of civil aviation issues internationally. He praised Greece’s responsibility, spirit of cooperation and steady commitment to solutions that enhance the security, effectiveness and cohesion of the world air system.
Meetings were also held in a particularly positive and friendly atmosphere Michele MerkleDirector, Air Navigation Bureau (ANB), K. Michael GillDirector, Legal Affairs & External Relations Bureau (Leb), K. Jorge VargasDirector, Capacity Development & Implementation Bureau (CDI-Bureau), as well as with their team executives. The discussions confirmed the excellent level of cooperation of ICAO with Greece.
Meeting with European Commission (DG Move) and EASA chief
A working meeting was held with Mr. Filip CornelisDirector for Aviation of DG MOVEMr. Florian GuillermetExecutive Director her EASA, Dr. Christine BergDeputy Director for Aviation DG, as well as with the executives of their teams. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Administrator of the APA, Mr. Kalliopi Lykos.
During the meeting:
- The actions of Greece’s holistic plan, the accompanying decisions, the project’s progress to date and the targeted actions to further implement it were presented.
- The new CAA bill was discussed, which has now been put into public consultation.
- Greece’s commitment to the immediate implementation of actions that lead to the rapid treatment of past violations was reaffirmed.
The European leaders referred positively comments to the overall effort and progress that has been achieved, and special mention was made to the emblematic projects already ongoing and are expected to deliver tangible results. The EASA leader, who stressed to the Governor, was particularly positive that there were significant changes and reforms that had never been attempted in the past.
Meeting with the head of Eurocontrol
A working meeting was held with Mr. Raúl MedinaDirector General of Eurocontroland the executives of his team. The head of the organization underlined the improvement of performance for 2025 compared to 2024, while in the discussion:
- Plans for 2026 and the way the network, under the coordination of Network Manager, are preparing to respond to the expected increase in air traffic over the following year.
- The staffing programs and the CAA’s systems and procedure initiatives.
Meetings with senior international air market executives
- ACI World: A meeting was held with K. Dimitri CollSenior vice president, and K. Jean-Sébastien PardSenior Manager Facilitation, Airport Training Issues and the prospect of implementation in Athens Training Program for Airport Employees, based on its educational material ACI –CAO.
- CAE (Canadian Aviation Electronics): A meeting was held with K. Nick LeontidisCEO, Mr. By KaluznyMr. Thomas SavasHead of Global Strategic Accounts, and the executives of their team, which also participated by the Deputy Governor of the CAA, Mr. Alexandros Karydis. During the visit, a tour of the Air Traffic Traffic Training Training Center (VET) was also held, which included two VETs, CAA executives, Ms Vassiliki Bethava and Ms. Georgia Gliatis.
- Egyptian – Japan nominations for the ICAO Council Council: Meetings were held with the President of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Amr Elsharkawyas well as with the two candidates for the position of President of the ICAO Council, representatives of Egypt, κ. Naif Ali al-Abriand Japan, Mr. Toshiyuki Onumain the presence of the ambassador to ICAO, Mr. Dimitris Azamopoulos and the Deputy Administrator of the APA, Mr. Kalliopi Lykos.