Paul Ioannidis
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Paul J. Ioannidis (22 February 1924 – 1 May 2021) was a German-born Greek pilot, resistance fighter, and later shipping industry executive. In his later life, he was a long-term employee of various organisations associated with Aristotle Onassis and his family.
Early life
Ioannidis was born in Berlin and raised in Athens.
Military career
In early 1943, aged 18, he joined the
In June 1944, following orders from the
Ioannidis was trained as a fighter pilot by the
Civilian pilot career
He was employed by the Greek air carrier
From the start of his career, Ioannidis was concerned with aviation safety, particularly with reducing the risk of human error, the main cause of all accidents in the field of transportation.[1] In 1982, he was responsible for the implementation of aviation safety procedures in the Onassis fleet, including rigorous recurrent training, use of simulators and checklists, standardised procedures and regulations, the so-called "Airline Concept".
Onassis Foundation and shipping industry
In his will, Onassis appointed Ioannidis a lifetime member of the board of directors of the
From 1975 to 1984 he was involved with the business activities of the Onassis Foundation, eventually becoming chief executive officer of shipping and commercial operations, an office held until 1995. He was on the board of directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners from 1979 to 2005, including six years as vice-president and 14 years as president of its training committee. He was named member emeritus in 2000. He was also on the board of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), chairing its training committee for nine years and serving as vice-president for one year. In these roles at the three organisations he introduced the "Airline Concept" to the Greek shipping industry for the first time.[citation needed]
Ioannidis was also a member of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) from 1990, serving on its council from 1992, a member of its board of directors for 10 years, and chair of the bureau's Greek National Committee for 10 years. He was named council emeritus in 2004.[2][3] He was also a member of the UK P&I Club for eight years.
Awards and recognition
Ioannidis received a number of awards during his career, in honour of his contributions to the aviation and shipping industries.
- Honored by the Union of Masters and Mates of the Greek Merchant Marine, and named Member Emeritus in 1995.
- Medal of the City of Athens (2002) for his social contribution.
- Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.
- Lifetime Achievement Award from Princess Anne.
- Golden Cross of the Order of Honour of the Greek Republic (2012) for his national and social contribution.
- Honored by the Hellenic Air Force Academy (2013) for his national and social contribution, as well as for his 37 years service as an airline captain.
- Lifetime Achievement Award from Lloyds List/Propeller Club (November 2017).[5]
Personal life
Ioannidis was married to Sylvia Apostolidou-Ioannidou from 1950. He spoke English and elementary German.
Publications
Ioannidis wrote his biography in Greek, under the title Even If You Are Not... You Will Become, published in December 2007 by A.A. Livanis, and translated into English under the title Destiny Prevails.[6]
References
- ^ Paul J. Ioannidis, The Human Factor, Surveyor, Quarterly Publication of the American Bureau of Shipping, September 1996, pages 6-7.
- ISBN 9789601426440
- ISBN 978-9601416779, page 496
- ^ «Alexander S. Onassis | International Online Magazine». www.onassis.org.
- ^ «Greek Shipping Awards: Marinakis and Ioannidis amongst 17 honoured». Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards. 2017-11-27.
- ^ "Presentation of Paul Ioannidis' Autobiography". 11 November 2013.