Jet Aviation said it has been a “great honour” to receive a European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) award for its outstanding track record in flight safety.

The Switzerland-based business aviation company was given the 2016 EBAA Gold Safety of Flight Award at last month’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (Ebace) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Covering four categories, the Safety of Flight awards  - to EBAA members operating business aircraft without accidents  - were given during a seminar attended by 100 guests.

Jet Aviation, which entered the aircraft charter and management business in 1972, was presented the award by EBAA President Brian Humphries for achieving 40 years, or 80,000 hours, of flying without an accident.

“These awards recognise the careful and conscientious attention to safety in all aspects of an operation as part of a culture embodied throughout each recipient's flight department,” said Humphries. “Safety is a matter to focus on day after day, year after year. That’s why, several years ago, we decided to include at Ebace recognition of companies that have made safety a continuing mission, and have achieved magnificent, accident-free records over many years to show for it.”

“It’s a great honour to have our commitment to safety recognised by the European Business Aviation Association,” said Jürg Reuthinger, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s aircraft management and charter operations in EMEA and Asia. “Ensuring our customers safety and security is our number one priority at Jet Aviation. On behalf of the entire company and my colleagues, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank EBAA for their hard work and dedication to furthering the best interests of the business aviation community.”

Other award winners included:

• VistaJet, Malta, flying a young fleet of long-range business aircraft, which earned an EBAA Diamond Safety of Flight Award for surpassing 50 years, or 100,000 hours, of flying without an accident.

• PrivatAir, Geneva, in operation for more than 35 years, which received an EBAA Platinum Safety of Flight Award for achieving 50 years, or 100,000 hours, of flying without an accident.

• GlobeAir, Linz, Austria, which was recognised with an EBAA Silver Safety of Flight Award for achieving 30 years, or 60,000 hours, of flying without an accident.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Jet Aviation was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world.