may2023 - 25

Cover Story
Michalis Panagoulias (holding the award) began as a
delivery boy at Goldair Handling before earning several
promotions, including his current position as corporate
health and safety manager.
emerge, mature and ultimately yield over time. At the same
time, I believe that specific elements of his character played
and play an important role in Michalis' success, " says Goldair
Handling CEO Dimitris Papamichail. " So, apart from the ethos I
mentioned above, competitiveness, combined with a smile and
calmness, distinguish him in his daily life. "
A Safety-Focused Perspective
On his path to corporate health and safety manager, Panagoulias
has had many learning experiences and has gained a deep
perspective of the importance of following correct standard
operating procedures.
" Most accidents in ground handling occur because procedures
are not followed, " he notes, adding lack of training, supervision,
safety culture, resources or oversight can contribute to these
incidents. " Of course, the top management of each company has
a crucial role to play providing appropriate resources to achieve
the goals and to create a safety culture within the organization. "
However, despite some inherent risk, Panagoulias says aviation
careers are great opportunities for those who like meeting
a broad, diverse range of people. He has enjoyed working with
many driven, goal-oriented, talented people and learned a lot
from working with them.
" People are the most important asset for every company.
goulias
Two years later, he started working as a delivery boy at Goldair
Handling, transporting passenger luggage between the
airport and customers' homes or hotels.
" After that, I became a ramp agent and a year later, I became
a supervisor ramp agent, " Panagoulias says.
He was then promoted to senior supervisor of ramp handling,
responsible for all ramp handling departments and activities.
When Goldair Handling relocated to the new airport " Eleftherios
Venizelos " in Athens in 2001, Panagoulias was promoted
to ramp duty manager. Six years later, he was named Athens
Airport station manager - a position he held through 2010.
Panagoulias spent a year and a half at Goldair's headquarters
in the finance and commercial departments and then moved
into the firm's corporate health and safety manager position.
" During my career as a safety manager, I joined the IATA
GSEE Task Force and IATA ASG Task Force as an active member, "
he says. " Now, I am an active member of the new IATA Ground
Operations Standards Working Group joining the Management
and Safety sub-group. "
" When an executive develops during his professional life, he
is undoubtedly characterized by possibilities and abilities that
People need training, coaching and trust by their supervisors
and they will give much more of what they are supposed to
give, " Panagoulias says. " Managing people is a challenge, especially
the new generations. They want to speak, and we must
hear them and communicate with them regardless of their
experience in our industry.
" In many cases brand-newcomers give solutions that we
never thought about, " he continues. " Just hear them and communicate
with them. You will gain many things. "
Everyone has valuable skills, Panagoulias adds, so, it's important
to keep lines of communication open. During his career,
Panagoulias has worked to become a better communicator and
listen to his colleagues when they have questions or concerns.
" I am very happy when employees from different departments
come to my office or find me on the ramp and want
to ask me something about a procedure or a safety concern/
hazard or want to communicate and take directions from me on
how to manage problems or concerns they face, " he says. " Even
if I am tired or overloaded, my office is always open to hear and
to communicate with everybody. My moto is 'communicate and
hear - this does not cost money.' "
Panagoulias also says all employees deserve respect, regardless
of their work style or personality. By lending that respect
to everyone, Panagoulias has been able to get the most out
of his team.
His own first-hand experience in the industry has also been
helpful as he works with others.
" I feel my time around ground handling has provided me with
a unique perspective of aviation because I have a clear understanding
how it works, " Panagoulias says. " I feel lucky because I
started from the bottom and had the opportunity to understand
May 2023 || AviationPros.com || 25
GOLDAIR HANDLING
http://www.AviationPros.com
may2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of may2023
