Richard Mumford respects BACA members’ reaction to attempted cyber attacks

Vigilance, not complacency

The past month has thrown into sharp focus the importance of market standards and why specialist, professional brokers are so crucial for the market. BACA members have faced a variety of issues. We have seen a number of members subjected to attempted cyber attacks, and I have been delighted at the robust, professional approach taken by our brokers and operators that meant that these attacks were thwarted. Great brokers really value their clients and understand the need to protect their data and money throughout the whole chain of a charter transaction.

Concerns have also been raised in the market about brokers and operators offering an aircraft for charter without the appropriate AOC or other authorisations. Again, our members picked up on this problem and reported it, allowing us to forewarn the full membership. Turn to page 10 for more details.

We should be proud that our members are vigilant and rigorous in their approach to the market and should fight to maintain that market standard, because it is a major part of what makes BACA members stand out as the brokers of choice. The willingness of members to share information and experiences demonstrates their wider commitment to the association and to market standards generally.

However, we must avoid complacency, and so our message to the market remains that we must all be vigilant and adhere to the rules and best practices that set the market standards. There is a world of difference between going the extra mile in service to accommodate our clients and sliding down a very slippery slope into cutting corners and bending rules. If something does go wrong, it impacts all of the market, and we therefore work very hard to ensure that we set and maintain the highest standards so as to minimise that risk.

We have our Awards Luncheon approaching, on 19 October at the Guildhall in London. That is an occasion upon which we can celebrate excellence in the charter market and I shall look forward to seeing all of our members there.

Finally, I would like to note the passing of Joe Sutter, the 'father of the Boeing 747'. His role in the development of the Jumbo Jet saw huge develop-ments in aircraft technology that still resonate today. The Boeing 747 itself might be well into maturity, but the development of all manner of things, from swept wing technology to the use of multiplex cabling in IFE, moved aircraft engineering forward at a high pace.

Richard Mumford, chairman, BACA