BACA-The Air Charter Association is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a rebranding to The Air Charter Association, a move the organization says will give it a clearer identity. The organization was founded in 1949 as the Baltic Air Charter Association at London’s Baltic Exchange. Over the years, the association has focused on representing the air charter industry before regulatory authorities and governments worldwide.

The brand change is the second for the organization that is fully eliminating the “Baltic” reference for the first time. “With only two brand refreshes in those 70 years, the council has taken the opportunity to mark the 70th anniversary with a clear statement to the world of our purpose with the brand and identity change to ‘The Air Charter Association,'” the organization said. However, the association added it remains closely aligned with its original motto taken from the Baltic Exchange: “Our World, Our Bond.”

“This rebrand really cements in everyone’s minds what The Air Charter Association is here for and who we represent,” CEO Dave Edwards said. "We’re a global trade body with over 250 members around the globe, ranging from business jet operators to airports, charter brokers to cargo airlines and from supporting industries such as fuel providers to insurance brokers, banks, and the majority of the leading aviation law firms. It’s been a great 70 years as BACA, but the time is right to drive the organization to its full potential now.”

Chairman Nick Weston unveiled the new identity during the association’s 70th-anniversary event held July 4 at the Institute of Directors in London’s Pall Mall. The association has a number of events planned over the next year, including its Air Charter Expo event at London Biggin Hill Airport on September 17, the Excellence Awards Lunch on October 16, the Spring Lunch in 2020, and the evening Networking Event during EBACE in May 2020 in Geneva.