ABOUT US

An Introduction to BACA

The Baltic Air Charter Association, BACA, is the successor of the Airbrokers' Association founded by members of the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange in March 1949. Its purpose was to bring to aircraft chartering the same standards of integrity and professionalism for which the Baltic Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers have for so long been known and respected.

In 1976 membership was opened to include airlines and other non-members of the Exchange who could show they operate their aviation business to the same high standards set by the original association. The name changed accordingly to its present title. Recent advances in communications has resulted in little aircharter trading now taking place on the floor of the Exchange but members use the facilities offered for social functions and private meetings.

The Baltic Exchange gives BACA very generous support with administrative resources so the council of BACA unreservedly recommends members to join the Exchange as independent members and has arranged advantageous terms. Located in the heart of the City of London, the Exchange gives members a central base where they can hold meetings, hire secretarial services, use the bar and restaurant, review their emails etc. Details are available at The Baltic Exchange's own web site.

The name of the Exchange itself, Baltic, originates from the city coffee house of that name where shippers and merchants met to conduct business in the early 18th century. Similarly, Mr Lloyd's coffee house was where London's insurance market started.