The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) Chairman Rodolfo Baviera has been the prestigious European Business Aviation Award as the 2016 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (Ebace) got under way today in Geneva, Switzerland.

The award was presented to Baviera by the EBAA and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) of the US, the organisers of the three-day show.

“It is no exaggeration to say that our chairman, Rodolfo, is one of the giants of this industry, and it has been a privilege and an honour to work alongside him for several years now,” said Brian Humphries, EBAA President. “This award is just a very modest token of our deep appreciation for his constant guidance and support.”

“EBAA wouldn’t be where it is today without him, that’s certain, and this award is long overdue,” said EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba.

“Rodolfo has been a steady hand as EBAA Chairman, and he has been a tireless advocate for the business aviation community,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “His tenure has been characterised by the growth of Ebace, which is today recognised as Europe’s leading business aviation event. We thank him for his leadership, and for the many contributions to the industry he has made, not only in his role as EBAA chair, but throughout his professional career.”

Baviera was elected EBAA Chairman in 2004, having served on the group’s Board of Governors since 1998. Baviera’s career in the aviation industry began when he earned a degree in political sciences at La Sapienza University of Rome, for which he produced a thesis paper, entitled, ‘A politic for the European Aeronautical Industry’.

In 1985, he created Geneva-based Bizjet, a company that specialised in selling pre-owned business aircraft. That same year, he became CEO of Europavia Italia, an international aircraft trading company. Baviera added chairman and CEO of Eurofly Services to his responsibilities in 1993, and a year later, extended his commitment to Europavia Italia to include its chairmanship. Aircraft operator Eliario Italia designated him Chairman in 1999.

In 1998, he was appointed Chairman of the Italian Business Aviation Association (IBAA), where he served until 2004; during that time, IBAA also joined the International Business Aviation Council.

Baviera was a member of the board of Aeroporti de Roma between 2005 and 2006. Since 2007, Baviera has acted as Chairman of Bizjet Aircraft & Helicopters Management, and Executive Aircraft Management.

Jointly hosted by NBAA and EBAA, Ebace serves as Europe’s premier showcase for business aviation, while also providing an important venue to continue the vital dialogue between regulatory authorities, business leaders and other stakeholders.

The 2016 edition features about 60 business aircraft on static display. In addition, the convention draws a variety of manufacturers, aircraft completion specialists, sales and financing professionals and service and maintenance providers.