Whisking celebrities, athletes and executives to destinations all over the world in timely and classy fashion is what Corporate Air is all about.

Sunday the West Mifflin company received "Vendor of the Year" award from Netjets Inc., a Columbus, Ohio, private jet company, with 650 business jets worldwide.

Corporate Air, which operates out of the Allegheny County Airport, owns 18 planes and operates six hangars at the airport. The firm has more than 150 employees, including 40 pilots, and also has operations at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and Dulles International Airport.

Phil Ehrman, vice president of Corporate Air, who attended Sunday's award ceremonies in Ohio, said the award is "a really big one."

Corporate Air CEO and founder Mark Schreiner said, "Netjets is extremely selective when choosing vendors to provide service to its distinguished clients; it qualifies less than 15 percent of all aircraft available for charter," he said.

Mike Vargo, a director of sales, called his firm "a hidden gem." The company, he said, has made more than 150,000 flights without accidents.

Corporate Air was founded 20 years ago as Steel City Aviation. It also operates the Pittsburgh Flight Training Center, a flight school used by the Community College of Allegheny County. Mr. Schreiner said two-thirds of the 100 students taking flight lessons are community college students.

The flight center held its annual open house Saturday.