Almost 30 individual professionals and organisations were declared winners at the Australian Aviation Awards this year, including engineers, pilots, aviation safety professionals, start-ups, and innovators.
The Australian Aviation Awards recognise the outstanding individuals and businesses positively shaping the growth and development of Australia’s aviation industry.
The big winners this year included heavyweights Northrop Grumman and Babcock, while a female aviation leader took home the Excellence Award.
Momentum Media and aviation brand Australian Aviation hosted the black-tie gala ceremony on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at The Star, Sydney with support from principal partner UNSW Sydney and its School of Aviation.
The recipient of this year’s Excellence Award (given to the highest-scoring individual winner) was Angela Garvey, specialist aviation counsellor, commercial pilot, and founder of counselling services provider Navigating Aviation.
Garvey was given the award after being named Female Aviation Leader of the Year – Small Business earlier in the evening.
Other individual award winners included representatives from Northrop Grumman, Qantas Group Pilot Academy, and Leidos Australia.
Several renowned companies walked away with trophies this year, including children’s charity Little Wings, Cairns Airport, engineering and operational solutions provider Babcock, and the Australian Women Pilots’ Association.
Over 450 members of the industry attended the awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues and network with industry leaders and peers.
Australian comedian, writer, and satirist Mark Humphries assumed emcee duties and provided light and laughter throughout the evening.
The Australian Aviation Awards launched for the first time in 2022 as an unparalleled program that recognises outstanding professionals and organisations from across the domestic aviation industry.
The awards champion the top-performing members of aviation across the industry including aviators, trainers, technologists, technicians, crew, executives, pilots, and the rising stars of tomorrow across large and small businesses.
They also offer recognition to airlines, airports, defence support businesses, and organisations who have implemented innovative sustainability initiatives.
The awards were open to all businesses and professionals across the sector irrespective of location, specialisation, affiliation, or alliance.
The winners were determined by an esteemed judging panel composed of respected professionals, business leaders and executives, innovators, entrepreneurs, and academics.
Many of the most innovative aviation businesses and professionals have capitalised on the awards program to strengthen their position in the marketplace, grow their business, and distinguish themselves from their competitors when attracting and retaining top talent while recognition has underpinned career advancement for individuals.