Marshall Executive Aviation (MEA) is taking over the management of a Challenger 300 which is being made available for charter. The aircraft joins the UK operator's own Citation Bravo and XLS.

"It will significantly broaden the company's capability to provide clients with spacious and comfortable aircraft suited to the widest range of business and private travel requirements," says chief pilot Pete Stroud. "This is a significant milestone for MEA as we build upon our experience of aircraft owning and operating, and move into aircraft management. The Challenger is a superb aircraft which will also enable us to fly our passengers to a wider range of destinations, and it also supports our position in the charter industry as we are poised to take advantage of improving economic conditions."

He adds: "Having established an excellent reputation with passengers and charter brokers during the last seven years, this expansion marks an important step for the future of MEA as the company moves into the exciting area of aircraft management with the potential of taking on additional aircraft and types in the future."

The Challenger 300 is based and hangared at London Luton Airport and MEA has employed additional type rated pilots for the aircraft who will report back to the company's Cambridge headquarters.

Stroud says: "From London, its 3,600 mile range gives non-stop access to destinations on four continents - North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Arranged in a double club configuration, the aircraft can seat up to nine passengers plus stewardess and crew."