The greatest honour in international civil aviation has been awarded to....

During every ICAO General Assembly an award, recognized throughout the aviation community as the greatest single honour in international civil aviation, is bestowed on an individual or institution whose efforts are considered outstanding. The award is named after Dr. Edward Pearson Warner, the lead Delegate of the United States for the 1944 Chicago Conference that established ICAO, then the first President of the ICAO Council during the Organization’s provisional years, from 1945 to 1947.

Edward Warner continued as President from 1947 until his retirement in 1957. He was known as one of the lead figures who helped transform civil aviation, from a fledging post-war industry into a structured and modern worldwide air transport system, based on international cooperation and consensus. During the 42nd General Assembly, the Edward Warner Award was presented to Pilar Vera, President of the Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International (ACVFFI).

A special Committee of the ICAO Council obtains nominations for the Award from the Organization’s 193 Member States, from institutions, or from individuals. The Committee then recommends to the ICAO Council the selected individual or institution whose efforts on behalf of civil aviation are considered to be most outstanding, for its approval.

Pilar Vera’s nomination was submitted by the Government of Spain. In addition to being the President of ACVFFI, she is the President of the Spanish Aviation Safety Foundation. For the last 17 years, she has been committed to advocating for aviation safety, victim assistance, and improvements in accident investigation protocols.

Dr. Edward Pearson Warner (1894‑1958) was an educator in aeronautical engineering, an author, scientist and a Statesman. He was a member of the US Civil Aeronautics Board when it was founded in 1938, and a Delegate of the United States to the 1944 Chicago Conference for the Convention on International Civil Aviation. He was also an international civil servant whose greatness is commemorated by the world’s civil aviation community in the international award that bears his name.

Edward Warner was one of the leading figures in the transformation of civil aviation from a fledgling industry in the rubble and chaos of World War II, to a structured and modern world air transport system based on international cooperation. He became the first President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization during its provisional status from 1945 to 1947, and continued as President until his retirement in 1957.

The complete list of recipients of the Edward Warner Award include:

2025: The Air Crash Victims’ Families’ Federation International (ACVFFI), presented to Pilar Vera, President of ACVFFI, recognized for advocating for aviation safety, victim assistance, and improvements in accident investigation protocols.

2022: Dr. Ángela Marina Donato, Argentina, in light of her eminent contributions to the development of international civil aviation throughout her career, and for serving as a beacon of ambition and accomplishment to several generations of women pursuing aviation careers.

2019: Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, Mexico, who as ICAO Council President helped achieve fundamental consensus among the Member States of the Organization toward the adoption of policies and initiatives for the protection of the environment. He also played a decisive role in driving strategies and initiatives in aviation safety and security, and air navigation efficiency, thanks to his ability to negotiate and promote cooperation among States.

2013: Dr. Assad Kotaite, Lebanon, in recognition of his visionary leadership as the Representative of Lebanon on the Council of ICAO, Secretary General of ICAO, and President of the ICAO Council, as well as the lifelong devotion he exemplified in each of those roles to advancing the principles and objectives of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the spirit of its inspiring Preamble.

2010: Dr. Nicolas Mateesco Matte, Romania, in recognition of his eminent contribution to the development, promotion and understanding of air and space law around the world.

2007: Dr. Silvio Finkelstein, Argentina, whose leadership in the field of aviation medicine has contributed to safety in international civil aviation.

2004: Professor Brian O’Keeffe, Australia, in recognition of his eminent contribution to the development of international civil aviation, in particular his leading role in the field of air navigation systems.

2002: The International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine (IAASM), in recognition of the Academy’s significant achievements in aviation medicine for almost a half century.

2001: Mr. Petro Vasilyevich Balabuyev, Ukraine, in recognition of his lifetime achievements as an aircraft designer, participating directly in the development, testing and serial production of all the types of Antonov aircraft, which are operated successfully in many countries of the world.

2000: The Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), since its establishment in 1958, has successfully pursued a broad mission including: to achieve excellence in civil aviation training; to promote national and inter‑regional self‑sufficiency in civil aviation human resource development; and to serve as a forum for the exchange of information and expertise among all components of the air transport industry on issues affecting international civil aviation.

1999: Mr. Jerome F. Lederer, United States of America, in recognition of his continuous contribution to the improvement of all aspects of safety in international civil aviation thereby helping the world of civil aviation achieve a remarkable safety record.

1998: Dr. Kenneth Rattray, Jamaica, in recognition of his eminent contribution to the development of international civil aviation, particularly in the legal field.

1997: Dr. Tatyana Grigorievna Anodina, Russian Federation, in recognition of her eminent contribution, as scientist and researcher, to the development of national, regional and global air navigation aids for civil aviation at the international level.

1996: The Institute of Air and Space Law of McGill University (Canada), founded in 1951, recognized for its highly significant contribution to the development of international air law, both through its own activities in teaching, research, publication, and holding international conferences, and through the contributions of its more than 750 graduates from 117 different countries around the world.

1995: Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen, United States; recognized for his contribution to the safe development of international aviation and of air navigation in particular, both as a former airline pilot and as founder of the Jeppesen Company, publisher of the Jeppesen Airway Manual which continues to provide aeronautical information for the safe conduct of flights.

1994: Professor Dr. Ing. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, Indonesia; recognized for his eminent contribution in promoting the aircraft manufacturing industry in the developing world.

1993: Mr. Arnold Kean, United Kingdom; recognized for his 40 years of active involvement in the legal work of ICAO, most recently, his contribution to the successful conclusion of the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection in February 1991.

1992: Dr. Edward R.K. Dwemoh, born in Ghana; pioneer of civil aviation in Africa and first President of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).

1991: Dr. K.N.E. Bradfield, born in Gordon, NSW, Australia; recognized for his eminent contribution to the development and provision of the technical and operational requirements of the ground‑based infrastructure of international civil aviation.

1990: Mr. Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky, born in Kiev, USSR; world‑renowned aeronautical designer and engineer and known for his successful work in helicopter development.

1989: Mrs. Anesia Pinheiro Machado, born in Brazil; recognized as a pioneer woman aviator and for her contribution to the development of international civil aviation in Latin America.

1988: AEROTHAI ‑ Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, established in April 1948 at the initiative of scheduled airlines and as a licensed agency of the Government of Thailand, represents a unique example of cooperation in which the provider of the service is owned by the users. It has eminently contributed to the development of international civil aviation in a region of the world where air transport operations have expanded at a rapid pace.

1986: Mr. J.R.D. Tata, born in Paris of Indian nationality, was the first to qualify as a pilot in his country in 1929. Founder Chairman and Chief Executive of Air‑India Ltd. and Air‑India International until all airlines in India were nationalized, he was thereafter appointed Chairman of the Company. He developed new routes between India and other countries and also served the international aviation community as President of the Executive Committee of IATA.

1985: Dr. Alexandr Fedotovich Aksenov, USSR; scientist, engineer and educator, he actively participated in the development of aviation technology, as well as new types of aviation fuels, oils and lubricants and aircraft such as the TU‑144, IL‑86, IL‑76, TU‑154 and YAK‑42. In 1975, Dr. Aksenov became Rector of the Kiev Institute of Civil Aviation Engineers.

1984: Mr. Maurice Bellonte, Meru‑Oise, France; received the Award posthumously in recognition of his eminent contribution, as a pioneer aviator and navigator, to the science of air navigation.

1983: Mr. Knut Hammarskjöld, born in Geneva, is of Swedish nationality; former Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), he has dedicated a substantial part of his life to the furtherance of mutual understanding and co‑operation in the field of international civil aviation among the peoples of the world.

1982: Dr. Werner Guldimann, Olten, Switzerland; former Director of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation of Switzerland, for his eminent contribution as a lawyer, scholar, administrator, educator and pilot. Particularly noted for the development and unification of international air law.

1981: Dr. Harry G. Armstrong, United States; former Director of the United States Aeromedical Research Laboratory, in recognition of his work as a pioneer in the field of aviation medicine and for his contribution to the safety and comfort of international civil air transport.

1980: Dr. Indalecio Rego Fernandez, Spain; pilot, jurist and educator, he has dedicated himself with outstanding energy to the development of international civil aviation.

1979: Mr. Agnar Kofoed‑Hansen, Reykjavik, Iceland; Director General of Civil Aviation, Iceland, for his very valuable contribution to international civil aviation and, in particular, for the prominent role he played in the development of air navigation services over the North Atlantic.

1978: Sir Donald Anderson, C.B.E., Australia; former Director General of Civil Aviation who ‑ by promoting coordination and cooperation in civil aviation activities among the countries of Asia and the Pacific ‑ had a major influence on the development of civil aviation in Australia. His valuable experience proved of immense service to aviation in the technical field, particularly the one relating to world standards for air traffic control.

1977: Mohammed Soliman El Hakim, Egypt; former Director General of Civil Aviation who played a prominent role in the economic and technical development of civil air transport in the Arab countries. His efforts were instrumental in creating the Civil Aviation Council of Arab States (CACAS) of which he became the first President.

1976: COCESNA ‑ Corporación Centroamericana de Servicios de Navegación Aérea (est. 1960 by the Central American Aeronautical authorities); provides efficient and coordinated services for air navigation and communications which has remarkably increased the safety of international flights in the Central American region.

1975: Charles A. Lindbergh, United States; aviation pioneer who, through his solo transatlantic flight in 1927, unveiled the potential of international air transport. During a life dedicated to aviation, he significantly contributed to the establishment of operating procedures and safety standards and exercised a profound influence on aircraft engine development.

1974: Professor Dr. Alex Meyer, Fed. Rep. of Germany; academician, jurist and aviator, he was for nearly 30 years a high‑ranking Administrative Officer and later professor at Cologne University where he stablished and directed the Institute of Air Law and Space Law.

1973: Mr. Shizuma Matsuo, Japan; former President and Chairman of the Board of Japan Air Lines, he previously served his Government for 23 years in many civil aviation posts including Director General of the Aeronautics Safety Board and Director General of the Japan Aeronautics Agency.

1972: ASECNA ‑ Agence pour la Sécurité de la Navigation aérienne en Afrique et à Madagascar (est. 1959 by an international convention, Dakar, Senegal); composed of 15 French‑speaking States which cooperate to ensure the safety and regularity of civil aviation over the territories of ASECNA’s African Member States.

1971: Mr. Ruben Martin Berta, Brazil; former President of Varig Airlines, who gave a lifetime of dedicated service to civil aviation, both in his native land and within the international sphere of air transportation.

1968: Mr. Henri Bouché, France; founder of the Air Transport Institute in Paris, an international centre for research on civil air transport economy, policy and technique; former Representative of France on the ICAO Council.

1965: Sir William Hildred, United Kingdom; former Director General of Civil Aviation in the UK, and Director General of the International Air Transport Association.

1963: Mr. Max Hymans, France; aviation pioneer, former Secretary General for civil aviation in France, and President of Air France.

1961: International Aeronautical Federation (est. 1905, Paris), worldwide organization of national aero clubs. Its primary aim is to encourage cooperation and progress in aviation.

1959: Dr. Albert Plesman, Kingdom of the Netherlands; aviation pioneer, founder and President of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

The greatest honour in international civil aviation has been awarded to….