Association Hails Pair As "Industry Champions"

The EBAA and NBAA announced that former Biggin Hill Airport Director Peter Lonergan and Comlux Aviation Group President Richard Ganoa are the recipients of the 2011 European Business Aviation Awards.

The awards were presented during the opening day of the 11th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2011) Monday.

This year's award recipients have both championed business aviation for decades. During his tenure as Biggin Hill Airport director from 1994 until this year, Peter Lonergan turned the facility, which was once scheduled for closure, into a thriving general aviation airport. Under his stewardship, a new runway with an apron was added, new hangars have continually been constructed, and the staff has swelled from 36 in 1994 to more than 100 today. He now plans to represent EBAA and its Members as the business aviation representative at the European Aviation Safety Agency's Rulemaking Group on Requirements for Aerodrome Operations.

Rodolfo Baviera, EBAA chairman, commended Lonergan as "a true asset and champion for the industry. Peter has been an integral part of the business aviation community for many years, and we are delighted to present him with this well-deserved award," Baviera said.

Award recipient Richard Gaona has also had a distinguished career and record of service to business aviation. His more than 25 years with Airbus included his work on the launch of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner. During his eight years leading that program, more than 120 of the aircraft were sold. As president of the Comlux Aviation Group, he has expanded the company's service offerings, opened new facilities across the globe and more than tripled the number of aircraft the company owns and operates. He was a founding member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association.

After Gaona had been presented his award, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said: "I had the pleasure of meeting Richard recently, and I can attest to his charisma, his business smarts, and his heartfelt enthusiasm for the advancement of business aviation all around the world. Clearly, the traits I saw in him during our visit have been key to his successful career in business aviation."

The annual European Business Aviation Awards have been given since the inception of EBACE in 2001.

FMI: www.ebace.aero