BACA Launches First US Chapter With Prominent CEO as President

Oct 21, 2008 11:17 AM

The world’s largest and most prestigious network for air charter professionals just got bigger. The London-based Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) announced the formal launch of its first-ever chapter in the United States. According to the BACA Council, prominent U.S. businessman, Wayne J. Rizzi, President and CEO of Air Royale International Inc., will be voted in as the first president of the U.S. chapter.

The U.S. chapter was officially introduced during BACA’s Autumn Luncheon. Addressing a gathering of BACA members and their guests, famed explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes was the keynote speaker.

“We have made a strategic and historic decision to further expand BACA’s respected legacy," Markham Jackson, current BACA chairman, said. "Our U.S. chapter will serve as a better means to closely monitor, advise and provide a reasoned course of action regarding any adverse legislation or initiatives being discussed in the vital U.S. market. As the voice for the global air charter industry, it is the duty of BACA to prohibit detrimental impacts on those we represent.”

In an exclusive interview, prior to today’s announcement, Jackson discussed the BACA’s decision to expand within the U.S. Stressing the importance of the American market to the global air charter industry, Jackson said the U.S. air charter industry was facing a series of problems between brokers and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). He said that within the United Kingdom and Europe, the BACA had been working to prevent the same regulatory difficulties that were currently stressing the U.S. air charter industry.

Rizzi, a well-known entrepreneur who established Air Royale in 1994, is a firm believer that all charter broker companies should be transparent when conducting business with customers.

“It’s important that brokers do not hold out as certificated air carriers -- that they state that they do not own or operate aircraft, etc.," Rizzi said. "The Federal Aviation Administration, along with the DOT, has made it clear that certificated charter operators must maintain operational control at all times. Charter brokers are a valuable part of the industry, and operating in an ethical, transparent manner is what we’d like to promote working through the BACA.”

Air Royale continues its status as a top air charter broker that provides its customers with five-star service. Rizzi was the BACA’s top choice for the new position because of his good reputation and because of his passion to promote ethical practices for the global air charter industry.

“We are confident that Wayne is the best person, both in his knowledge and situation, to further our interests and broaden the scope of the BACA within the U.S.," Jackson said. "His dedication and respected profile will be of substantial benefit to our industry.”

On the occasion of his appointment, Rizzi said he was extremely honoured to serve as the president of the BACA’s American chapter.

"I look forward to working with the BACA to expand its membership in the U.S., and as well, clearly help to define membership criterion and the vetting process for both air charter brokers and certificated charter operators," Rizzi said. "I appreciate the confidence you have shown in me. It is my utmost desire that the BACA is met with success in every endeavour.”

NOTES TO EDITORS
BACA, with its official maxim “Our Word Our Bond,” is widely respected and known as the world's largest and most prestigious network for air charter professionals. BACA represents the interests of commercial aviation companies particularly in the air charter industries and markets. Current membership includes some 125 companies, which represent numerous air brokers, 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 of where they are 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, had 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 its website: www.baca.org.uk.

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