Private aircraft charter operator London Executive Aviation (LEA) has been named Best General Aviation Operator in the inaugural Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) Excellence Awards held in London last month.

The company received one of only five awards presented, with other winners including Harrods Aviation, DHL and Dubai International Airport.

The awards were decided by the votes of BACA members who were asked to nominate the organisations. Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of LEA, received the company's trophy from Andrew Fotheringham, general manager of DHL.

The other awards presented were for Best Airport (Dubai International), Best Cargo Airline (DHL), Best Handling Agent (Harrods Aviation) and Best Passenger Airline (Virgin Atlantic Airways).

BACA has represented the interests of commercial aviation companies, particularly air charter providers since 1949.

It represents some 125 UK and international companies, including air brokers, charter airlines, airports, business aircraft operators, consultants and others involved in air charter, scheduled flying and air cargo. BACA's patron is HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.