Network Aviation Group at The Air Charter Association Excellence Awards 2021

The 2021 Air Charter Association (ACA) Excellence Awards has its first awards presentation for two years since the start of COVID… and what a night it was!

This year’s prestigious event took place on Thursday 14th October at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton and was well represented by the Network team with a table of 10 attending the event. Network Aviation Group sponsored the ‘Cargo Charter Operator of the Year’ 2021 award.

The Air Charter Excellence Awards is the ideal event to network with fellow air freight industry colleagues and more importantly to rekindle relationships, face-to-face, within the air charter sector after the lack of in-person business contact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The traditional City of London location was changed to a central seafront Brighton location, with the event changed from a luncheon to a new gala dinner-based format. Starting with a welcome drinks reception before moving through the hotel for a three-course meal and the main Awards presentation.

The shortlist and ultimate winners of the awards were announced by each of the sponsors including our Group Chairman, Andy Leslie who presented the trophy to the winner of the ‘Cargo Charter Operator of the Year’ 2021 award, followed by a quick flurry of photos which you can see below. After the conclusion of the awards presentation, a casino-themed evening ensued with Roulette and Blackjack tables and a wealth of ‘sovereigns’ to play with!

Kevin Ducksbury, chairman of The ACA said: “Our guests were thrilled to be able to get together in person again and enjoy our Excellence Awards event. Everyone remarked on how special the event was and that it was a fun change from the usual London venues.

The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for our industry of course, and we look forward to a brighter 2022 and growth in our industry. Coming together for the event in Brighton reminded us how much of a community the air charter industry is and how we can all support each other through recognition and by highlighting the hard work involved.”

The various award categories at the 2021 Air Charter Excellence Awards, voted for by The ACA’s international members and judging panel, included: Cargo Charter Operator of The Year, Handling Agent / FBO of The Year, The ACA NextGen Young Person of The Year and Sir Michael Marshall Award for Sustainability in Aviation, alongside a few others.

Network would like to wish huge congratulations to all the winners! We look forward to meeting you all again at the next Air Charter Excellence Awards in 2022… see you there.

Image shows Andy Leslie, Network Aviation Group’s Chairman, alongside the winners of the ‘Cargo Charter Operator of the Year’ 2021 award –
photo credit to Susanne Hakuba.