Paul Ioannidis, Closest Associate of Aristotle Onassis, Dies at 97

Paul Ioannidis, who was one of the closest friends and associates of the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, died at the age of 97 on Saturday, May 1.

Ioannidis was a lifetime member of the Onassis Foundation’s Board of Directors. He was appointed as such by Onassis himself. When Onassis died in 1975, his will stated that Ioannidis would become a lifetime member of the board of the prestigious Foundation.

Ioannidis was a fighter pilot who had been trained by the RAF in Zimbabwe, Africa. Later, he managed to become part of the Hellenic Royal Force, where he served until 1947.

After that, he spent most of his career working for the then Onassis-owned Olympic Airlines, eventually serving as its General Director. Olympic Airlines was Greece’s flag carrier for decades.

Later in his life, Ioannidis was elected vice-president of the Onassis Foundation’s Board in , a position he held for 13 years, from 1992 until 2005.

After that, he continued to be an honorary vice-president as well as a member of the Advisory Committee.

The Successful Career of Paul Ioannidis

Ioannidis held the following offices and awarded the following distinctions:

– Member of the BOD of the Greek Shipowners’ Union for 26 years (1979–2005), Vice-President for 6 years, President of its Training Committee for 14 years. Named Member Emeritus in 2000.

– Member of the BOD of HELMEPA (Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association), Chairman of its Training Committee for nine years, and Vice-President for one year. Awarded the Silver Medal in 2002.

– Member of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) since 1990, member of ABS Council since 1992, member of its BOD for 10 years, and Chairman of ABS’ Greek National Committee for 10 years. Named “Council Emeritus” in 2004.

– Member of the “UK P & I Club” for 8 years.

– Honored by the Union of Masters and Mates of the Greek Merchant Marine. Named Member Emeritus in 1995.

– Medal of the City of Athens in 2002 for his social contribution.

– “Saint Mark’s Cross”, presented by his beatitude Theodoros II Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa in 2006.

– Seatrade International’s “Lifetime Achievement Award”[4]“in recognition of his exceptional work in introducing aviation style standards to the Onassis fleet in 1982 and also for his support for the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation.” The Ceremony was held at Guildhall, London, in April 2011 and the award was presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

– “Golden Cross of the Order of Honor” of the Greek Republic for his national and social contribution in 2012.

– Honored by the Air Academy of Greece for his national and social contribution, as well as for his 37 years of service as an airline captain in 2013.

– “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Lloyds List/Propeller Club in November 2017