The Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) honored a dozen organizations and individuals and raised $26,000 for Orbis Flying Eye Hospital during its Icons of Aviation charity gala on November 10 in Hong Kong. Now in its third year, the event drew 330 people from the business and general aviation community. Including this year’s tally, the annual gala has raised more than $100,000 since it was first held in 2015.

Orbis president and CEO Bob Ranck was a keynote speaker, telling attendees, “The generous support of AsBAA has helped Orbis extend its important sight-saving work throughout China and will support our Flying Eye Hospital program in Shandong province next June.”,

AsBAA chair and Sino Jet president Jenny Lau also provided an update on the association’s activities over the past year, including a new partnership with Breitling.

As for this year’s award winners, AsBAA honored the following: Universal Aviation, for the “Best Ground Handling Agent” category; Satcom Direct, UAS International Trip Support and World Fuel Services, for operational support; L’Voyage, for charter broker; Asian Sky Group, for media outlet; Avinode, for business service provider; Jetcraft Asia, for aircraft sales broker; VistaJet, for AOC charter operator; TAG Aviation Asia, for aircraft management company; Jet Aviation (Singapore/Hong Kong), for MRO provider; and Gulfstream, for manufacturer. AsBAA further recognized Rita Tam, head of customer relations at Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre, as “Trailblazer of the Year,” and presented its Mike Davis Award for lifetime achievement to Caspar Baum, director of aviation for Surbana Jurong.