The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) awarded its Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to Gama Aviation co-founder Marwan Khalek.

Honored during BBGA’s annual conference on March 10 at Luton Hoo near London, Khalek was recognized as a “respected, successful entrepreneur with a proven track record over nearly four decades.” BBGA noted that with his business partner Steve Wright, Khalek expanded Gama from a small air-taxi business in the early 1980s to a global aviation services group that employs 1,000 and spans business aviation.

“Our association has benefited greatly from Marwan’s knowledge and expertise over many years, for which we are very grateful,” said BBGA chair Aoife O’Sullivan. “On a personal basis, I have enjoyed his infuriating ability to put lawyers in their place, fight a contract like [an attorney] on a mission and yet always remain a friendly face, always respectful and engaging.”

An engineer who originally worked in the furniture business, Khalek learned to fly and saw an opportunity to move his business skills into aviation. Gama was established with its first aircraft, a Beech Baron, in 1983. Over the years, he’s become a strong industry advocate, including serving eight years as chair of BBGA and holding positions with EBAA.