Ioanna Papadopoulou

Ioanna Papadopoulou, after obtaining Degrees with Honorary Distinctions in Philosophy, Psychology and Political Sciences from the University of Athens and Panteion University respectively, obtained her MSc in International Studies-European Economy from the University of Athens, specializing on European Diplomacy, as well as a Diploma of Air Transport Studies from Cranfield University, UK and a Diploma of Strategic Marketing from Cornell University, USA.

She started her career with the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.

In 2001 Ioanna joined the Ministry of Transport, Network and Infrastructure as an advisor on Civil Aviation issues and she held the position of the President & CEO of Olympic Airways-Services SA from December 2003 up to May 2006. From May 2006 up to September 2009, she worked for the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority as the Chief Negotiator/Senior Expert on Bilateral Air Services Agreements and International Relations.

As of October 2009, Ioanna Papadopoulou is the Director, Communications & Marketing at Athens International Airport.

During her tenure, Ioanna – among other tasks, initiatives and projects designed and implemented for the development of the airport’s aeronautical and non-aeronautical activities – initiated, supervised and implemented the reorientation of Athens International Airport’s Route Development strategy, and the Destination Marketing  strategy, which have significantly contributed to the airport’s overall growth by more than 100% in terms of passenger traffic, international arrivals and route development in recent years.

Ioanna has been presented with the “Woman of the Year” award by the Air Transport News in 2014, the 2023 Regional Air Transport Leadership Award and the “KERAMIANAKIS Award 2025” by the Hellenic Aviation Society, while in December 2025 Ioanna was presented with the “Manager of the Year 2025 – Corporate Affairs & Communication” award.

Ioanna has been elected and served as  Chairperson of the Hellenic Aviation Society (June 2016 – January 2019) and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Airport Management since January 2018 and  a founding member of the HERMES- Air Transport Organization, as well as the Co-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the Aviation-Event (International Media & Network Platform), a member of the External Advisory Committee – University of the Aegean, Department of Tourism, Economics & Management and a member of the Committee for the Tourism Strategy in Greece.