The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has awarded Leo Knaapen with the first François Chavatte Award for Lifetime Service to Business Aviation. Knappen, the chief of industry affairs at Bombardier, has served as a representative to the IBAC governing board for industry partners. The award recognizes Knaapen's contributions and "persistent advocacy and promotion of the international business aviation industry," according to IBAC.
IBAC established the award this year to "recognize business aviation leaders who have gone above and beyond to contribute to the industry’s advancement and growth" and to honor the memory of François Chavatte, a former representative on the IBAC governing board who passed away last year.
“It was fitting to have this award go first to Leo, an extraordinary advocate for business aviation, for his tireless work on behalf of the industry. He has been our friend and a strong IBAC supporter for many years. We are grateful to Bombardier, an IBAC industry partner, for supporting Leo’s work with our association as well as with many other associations, committees, and coalitions that work to improve our industry,” said IBAC director general Kurt Edwards.
