ENTRIES into the maiden edition of the Ghana Aviation Industry Awards have been extended to May 31, 2016.

The Awards is the sole award recognizing the Ghanaian airline industry and an African benchmark of airline aviation excellence.

It would be recognizing distinctions exhibited in every classification of the aviation industry, stretching from domestic and international airline operators to service providers, travel and tourism companies, insurance and supportive financial institutions, local airports and many more.

A press release issued by Xodus Communications Limited, organisers of the event, named the various categories as Aviation Company of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Ghana Aviation Award, Airline Operators Award, Airport Achievement Award, Promising Aviation Professional Award, Aviation Institution Award, Aviation Online Payment Award, Aviation Cargo Transporter Award, Brand of the Year, Aviation Technology Achievement Award, Aviation Services Company Award, Catering Company of the Year, Logistics Company of the Year, C.E.O of the Year Award, Excellence in Health, Safety Environment and Quality Award.

The rest are Corporate Social Responsibility Award, Aviation Tourism Award, Aviation Travel Company Award, Domestic Airline of the Year, Africa Airline Award, International Airline Award, Aviation Marketing Campaign Award, Promising Aviation Company Award, Ground Handling Company of the Year, Customer Service Award and Low Cost Airline of the Year.

The release, signed Mr Richard Abbey Jnr., Chief Executive Officer of Xodus Communications Limited, said Ghana’s most highly performing aviation persons and companies would be selected based on their performance, financial, operational and customer service standards as well as their management innovation, market leadership, treatment and dedication to their customers and employees.

It said the cream of Ghana's aviation sector would be recognized and celebrated in a long awaited, much coveted industry where there were numerous heroes of change over the years, but who had not been recognized.

“This Industry gathering and networking forum is expected to champion excellence and improve business relationships. It is meant to streamline the provision of good customer service and create awareness for the depth of hard work and due diligence that goes into providing safe and secure compliant travel behind the scenes of the industry,” the release added. It said with a strong and disciplined governing board made up of stalwart Ghanaians well versed and experienced in their field of play, the selection, nomination, due diligence and award positioning of each category of the Awards would confidently be assured and fully endorsed by the survey company, AC Nielson and Company.

The awards would be presented on July 29, 2016 in an event to be held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel at 6 p.m.