2022 Laureate Award Winners: Commercial Aviation

Continuing a 65-year tradition of honoring innovators, extraordinary achievements and exemplary leadership in the aerospace, defense and aviation industries, Aviation Week Network’s editors announce the winners of the 2022 Laureate Awards. Scroll through this gallery to see the five winners for commercial aviation.

For more information on attending this year’s Laureate Awards Gala and a list of past winners dating back to 1957, go to laureates.aviationweek.com.

On Nov. 9, 2021, two Airbus A350s took off for an unusual flight from Toulouse to Montreal, crossing the Atlantic 3 km (1.6 nm) apart in a formation inspired by migrating birds. Riding the lead aircraft’s wake, the following A350 used 5% less fuel during the flight, culminating Airbus’ Fello’fly project to demonstrate the emission-reduction potential of long-distance formation flying.

To reduce its environmental footprint, airline group Air France-KLM is promoting sustainability goals that go beyond what many competing legacy carriers are willing to adopt, committing not only to relative emissions targets per passenger kilometer but also to absolute volumes that will force it to invest in new technology and cut services that are no longer justifiable.

When many other aerospace and defense suppliers retrenched during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spirit AeroSystems jumped at the chance to reinvent itself. The company quickly implemented changes under consideration for years, turning its 20th-century factories into digitally driven lean manufacturing centers. The innovations should position Spirit to ride the resurgence of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody output.

Steve Dickson, FAA administrator from August 2019 to March 2022, resurrected the U.S. regulator’s position as an independent entity in the aftermath of the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. The FAA had delegated too much authority in aircraft certification, and Dickson, a former Delta Air Lines captain, put his weight behind often difficult decisions required to return the MAX to service.

Transport & Environment (T&E) is the most influential nongovernment organization in Brussels dealing with the aviation sector. An outspoken critic of the industry, T&E contends that shortfalls should be highlighted but assessments should be constructive and fair. T&E has become an important positive factor in driving needed change toward more sustainable flying.

Since its inception in 1957, Aviation Week Network’s Laureate Awards have honored extraordinary achievements in aerospace. Innovators that represent the values and vision of the global aerospace community have changed the way people work, and move through the world. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate these astonishing achievements!
 
Learn more.