(openPR) - LONDON, 28 April 2008 – The Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA), the world's largest and most prestigious network for aircharter professionals, is pleased to release the names of this year’s 2008 Annual Excellence Awards winners. This year’s recipients were celebrated at BACA’s annual luncheon, held yesterday at Plaisterer’s Hall in London.
The 2008 winners are as follows:
Best Passenger Charter Airline:
Titan Airways
Best Cargo Charter Airline:
African International
Best General Aviation Operator:
GAMA Aviation
Best Airport:
Farnborough
Best Handling Agent:
Signature Flight Support
BACA’s Annual Excellence Awards honour quality and distinguished service within the air charter industry. Each year, some 200 members of BACA, their guests and representatives from the air charter industry and press are in attendance to celebrate the achievements made by the air charter industry and the award winners. This year’s awards were voted for by BACA members who work in relevant fields.
Markham Jackson, BACA Chairman, said: "Our annual awards luncheon is the keystone event for the entire global air charter industry. This year, BACA has made great strides as an association and we are thrilled to be celebrating not only the exemplary service and commitment to quality of our finest members, but also the achievements and improvements made by BACA.”
Later this summer, BACA will officially launch an industry-wide standard code of conduct and seal of quality. BACA, which has always expected its members to abide by its honourable code of conduct, will also be placing greater emphasis on its motto: “Our word, our bond.” BACA, which has always been known for its professionalism and industry dedication, is becoming increasingly more active and vocal.
Chairman Jackson reiterated BACA’s objectives for growth in 2008, “We are the voice of the entire industry. Because of our history, because of our strength of membership and because of our sincere concern for this vital industry, BACA is undertaking significant action this year to be as highly active, vocal and accessible to the public and press as possible.”
In addition to this year’s formal awards ceremony, the luncheon featured an Awards Raffle in generous aid of the Chairman’s charity, ‘Under Tree Schools’, which fund raises for the building and supply of schools in Malek, Southern Sudan. ‘Under Tree Schools’ works to provide Sudanese children with much-needed educational classes year round instead of being taught “under trees,” which are subject to horrendous weather conditions and lack of facilities. At the end of yesterday’s ceremony, celebrity MC for the afternoon, Jonny Gould, happily announced that the raffle had raised in excess of £3,300 for ‘Under Tree Schools.’
The ceremony concluded with one final acknowledgment going to Mike Kay, a long standing member of BACA and a cherished member of the council. Mr. Kay was presented with a copy of the very first Air Charter Agreement from 1929 in recognition of his years of service and dedication to BACA and the air charter industry. Mr. Kay recently announced that he would be retiring from the council in order to devote more time to his business ventures in France.
Air BP was the main sponsor of this event. Gama Aviation sponsored the wine and DHL, Direct Air Charters, Infratil Airports Europe, London Executive Aviation and Skyline Aviation sponsored the individual Awards.
Chairman Jackson expressed his thanks for this year’s sponsors as well those serving on BACA’s sub-committee, “Through their help, we were able to secure this beautiful setting for the ceremony and enjoy truly fabulous catering and service.” The sub-committee consists solely of Geraldine Malempre of Panavia and Dick Gilbert of Skyline.
BACA representatives are available for interviews and commentary. To schedule an interview, please contact Sarah Chase at Image Line Communications: E-mail: pr@imageline.co.uk / Tel: +44 (0)20 7689 9009.
Sarah A. Chase
Head of PR
Image Line Communications Ltd.
Unit 1A Zetland House
5-25 Scrutton Street
London
EC2A 4HJ
BACA, with its official maxim “Our Word, Our Bond,” is the widely respected as the world's largest and most prestigious network for aircharter professionals. BACA represents the interests of commercial aviation companies particularly in the aircharter industries and markets. Current membership includes some 125 companies, which represent numerous airbrokers, charter airlines, airports, business aircraft operators, freight forwarders, consultants and others. BACA’s principal objective is to promote integrity and ethical business practices so members can deal with each other with confidence, regardless where they're based or whether they have met each other before. BACA is the successor of the Airbrokers' Association founded by members of the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange in March 1949. Its purpose was to bring to aircraft chartering the same standards of integrity and professionalism for which the Baltic Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers had, for so long, been known and respected. BACA council members are always available for commentary and interviews. BACA is headquartered at the Baltic Exchange at 38 St. Mary Axe in London. More information can be found on their web site: www.baca.org.uk
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