May 2018, Geneva; The Sapphire Pegasus Awards were presented at EBACE. Luxaviation, PrivateFly, Hunt and Palmer and other winners accepted their awards in fifteen categories in Geneva. The Sapphire Pegasus Award is a symbol of gratitude for the superb performance in an industry segment where mediocrity is unacceptable. The Award has been accepted as an asset of its own kind in the industry and already finds worldwide attention. In Europe, the professional business aviation organizations EBAA, BACA, WCA, CEPA and AfBAA are supporting partners of the awards.
Antonia Lukacinova, founder of the Sapphire Pegasus Business Aviation Awards said: “We are delighted to be able to present the third annual Sapphire Pegasus Awards at EBACE in Geneva, the premier business aviation gathering in Europe. Recognizing the wide-ranging expertise in this dynamic industry we were especially pleased to add more categories this year and the response to this from industry peers has been terrific. We congratulate all these stellar companies and individuals on their fine achievements.”
For the great achievement and recognition of the highest level of excellence, the Awards went to the following award winners:
- Business Jet Operator – Luxaviation
- Broker – Aircraft Broker, Charter Broker – PrivateFly
- Handler / FBO – Jetex
- Service Provider – Flight Support, MRO – UAS International Trip Support
- Business Aviation Airport – London Oxford Airport
- Innovation in Business Aviation – AVIAA
- Lifetime Achievement – Mohammed Husary, UAS International Trip Support
- Woman in Aviation – Julie Black, Hunt & Palmer and BACA Council Member
- Young Talent / Start Up – Andy King, FLYT
- Charity / Relief Effort – will be given during the Sapphire Pegasus Caribbean
- Business Aviation Journalist / Topic Coverage – shared winners Liz Moscrop, GearUp TV and Chad Trautvetter, Aviation International News
- Outstanding Design – Design Q
- Outstanding Communication in Business Aviation – Emerald Media
- Business Aviation Photography – Matthias Geiger
- Outstanding Contribution to Business Aviation Winner – Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, MEBAA
“The Woman in Aviation award recognizes excellence and diversity in business aviation. Progress, leadership, courage, grace and determination are hallmarks of successful individuals and businesses in our industry. It was my honor to present this award to Julie Black,” Elizabeth A. Clark, CAM and Women in Corporate Aviation
The words of the winner in the Outstanding Contribution to Business Aviation category, Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of MEBAA may have reflected the feelings of all other winners: “It is an honor to receive this award. Business Aviation indeed is an important tool to grow the economy of a country.”
Sapphire Pegasus Winners_Antonia Lukacinova and Adel Mardini, Jetex
The Award for one of the most demanding categories Outstanding FBO and handler went to Jetex. Adel Mardini, Jetex CEO and President commented on their achievement: “First, we’d like to thank our clients for voting us outstanding FBO and handler. We’ve focused on creating an excellent passenger experience at our Dubai FBO, on setting a high standard of service and expanding it throughout our global network. We’re honored to receive this award.”
The Lifetime achievement award for the landmark contributions to business aviation throughout the career went to Mohammed Husary, Co-Owner/Founder and Executive President, UAS International Trip Support, who shared: “I’m honored to receive this award and the acknowledgement of my contribution to the industry that I have devoted myself to. My compliments to Sapphire Pegasus for highlighting the amazing standards being achieved in business aviation.”
Antonia Lukacinova summarised the Sapphire Pegasus Awards by saying: “The increased interest in the Sapphire Pegasus Award shows that the recognition of outstanding performances is widely appreciated and recognized by the international business aviation community. Based on last year’s success of Sapphire Pegasus Caribbean, we will present the trophy for eight outstanding performances and accomplishments during the Caribbean Aviation Meetup taking place in Nassau on 12th June.”
