Sun Air Jets, a southern California-based private charter operator and aircraft management company, has been presented with the 2022 Friendly Flyer Award from Van Nuys Airport in California. It is the company's ninth such award since 2014, making it the recipient with the longest consecutive tenure.

According to Van Nuys Airport operator Los Angeles World Airports' website, the voluntary Fly Friendly/Quiet Departure Program for jet aircraft was established in 1994 to address the community's concerns regarding jet aircraft noise in neighbouring areas. In 2012, the Friendly Flyer Award programme was created to identify and formally recognise jet operators that have achieved the highest levels of compliance with the mandatory noise regulations and the voluntary noise abatement programmes at Van Nuys. The Friendly Flyer Award is presented annually to jet operators that meet or exceed the following criteria during the award year: at least 60 southbound jet departures; no violations of noise ordinances; observance of the Quieter Nights Program; and 99 per cent or greater compliance with the No Early Turn and the Quiet Jet Departure Programs.

“I'm pleased to receive this ninth consecutive acknowledgement for Sun Air Jets,” says Brian Counsil, president and CEO of Sun Air Jets. “We continuously educate our employees and clients to support noise reduction at Van Nuys in the overnight and early morning hours. I'm thankful that LAWA provides annual certificate recognition to all the operators that have helped achieve success of the Friendly Flyer programme.”

The programme winners were recognised with a breakfast reception and recognition at the Los Angeles World Airport's board of airport commissioners meeting on 15 June.