In 2007, the British Guild of Travel Writers chose to give their highest award to Sir Michael Bishop, CBE, for his services to the airline industry.

Born in 1942 in Bowdon, Cheshire and educated at Mill Hill, Michael Bishop began his working life in the family business, building specialist specialist commercial vehicles. Fascinated by aviation, in 1963, he set up an aircraft handling business for a local airline at Manchester Airport. When this was taken over in by British Midland Airways in 1964, he went too and worked his way up, becoming general manager of British Midland in 1969, a director in 1970, managing director in 1972 and chairman in
1978.
From 1991-97 he was a board member of Channel 4 Television (deputy chairman
91-93; chairman 93-97); deputy chairman, Airtours plc 1987-2001.
His interest in music is reflected in his appointment as chairman of the D'Oyly
Carte Opera Trust, which was revived in 1988 as a company presenting Gilbert
and Sullivan operas.
Michael Bishop was awarded the CBE in 1986 and knighted in 1991. He is an
honorary companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Freeman of the Guild of
Air Pilots and Air Navigators, and an honorary member of the Royal Society of
Musicians of Great Britain.