In 1949 the Baltic Air Charter Association was founded at London's Baltic Exchange. Throughout those 70 years the association has focused heavily on representing the interests of professional organisations and individuals working in the air charter industry with regulatory authorities and governments around the globe.

The new branding gives The Air Charter Association a much clearer identity to stakeholders and partners and will allow the council and management team to move forward on the many key issues facing the industry, particularly illegal charters, security, training and best practice. The new brand was officially launched by chairman Nick Weston at the association's 70th anniversary event, held at the Institute of Directors in London on 4 July.

The Air Charter Association's aims remain closely aligned to its original motto, taken from the Baltic Exchange, 'our word, our bond'. It is an association of professionals working in an industry delivering the highest standards of quality, safety and customer service. The association seeks to protect and bring to the world's attention the importance of air charter; the industry provides vital air transport services for virtually every sector of business around the world.

Weston says: “After 70 successful years, our council made it clear that it was important that the association didn't rest on its laurels. We've traditionally been known fairly widely for our amazing networking opportunities but behind the scenes we are an active lobbying organisation, whether that's on issues affecting our members and the travelling public, such as illegal charter, or educating government officials on the benefits of air charter in general, or representing our members interests in areas such as tax, future aviation strategy and trying to find ways to encourage the next generation of our industry to look at the brilliant career opportunities we have to offer.”

CEO Dave Edwards adds: “This rebrand really cements in everyone's minds what The Air Charter Association is here for and who we represent. We're a global trade body with over 250 members around the globe, ranging from business jet operators to airports, charter brokers to cargo airlines and from supporting industries such as fuel providers to insurance brokers, banks and the majority of the leading aviation law firms. It's been a great 70 years as BACA, but the time is right to drive the organisation to its full potential now, and the council and executive are really excited about the future as The Air Charter Association.”

The Air Charter Association will be marking its 70th year at a number of events in the coming year, including its Air Charter Expo (ACE) event at London Biggin Hill airport on 17 September, the incredibly popular Excellence Awards Lunch on 16 October, the Spring Lunch in 2020 and at the evening networking event during EBACE in Geneva, in May 2020.