MTM Aviation, which has an FBO, charter and maintenance facility at southern Germany's Munich airport, is predicting a steady increase in business for its FBO because of the emerging importance of the media and computer industries in the Bavarian capital.

EBAN spoke to general manager Werner Bader about this theory. He said: "I believe Munich will become the centre of the new technologies, especially the media and computer industries.

"The media branch is expanding greatly, especially one particular company that markets lots of films and cartoons. In the same way, the computer industry is becoming a major player in Munich."

For recipients of MTM's handling services, a crew and company staff lounge is available at the General Aviation Terminal and a bigger vip lounge - "one with very high standards" - is located near the GAT and serves the purposes of special events and requests.

While MTM has been a handling agent at Munich for the past eight years, it has operated aircraft for the past 30. Among its fleet are two Dornier 328 turboprops, a Challenger 600 and two Lear 55s.

All these aircraft are owned by the company, the most recent to arrive being the 328s which came into service in May '98. Regarding the latter aircraft, Bader said that in their present role, they are almost unique. He said: "We are practically the only operator in Europe who offers this aircraft for ad hoc charter.

"Normally these aircraft are in service as an airline and only do a little bit of ad hoc charter. We carry out purely ad hoc charter work with these aircraft."

As for the Learjet and Challenger aircraft, it appears that while the former attracts customers mainly from within Germany and particularly the South, the Challenger attracts an international client, with most of its business coming through the London broker market.

Bader explained: "The Challenger flies mostly in Europe and Eastern Europe, particularly the former USSR region. For four to five years now, business has been growing in this region.

"The Learjets are likewise used for passenger travel in Europe, and we also carry out ambulance flights. It is through our position as contract partner for the German Red Cross that we operate worldwide."As to the near future, MTM plans to continue to do 'good business' with the Dornier 328 and will not be making any changes to the Challenger either.

However, with the Lear 55s, there may be some movement. Bader told EBAN: "The only change we might make is a Lear 55, maybe both, for a Lear 60.

"It's the changing situation of the market. We had the same thing 10 years ago. At that time, we decided to move from the 35/36 Lears to the Lear 55 because it was more comfortable for the passenger.

"The difference between the 55 and the 60 may also be found in its levels of comfort, especially with the APU, and you also have to consider that the customer may want a newer aircraft than the 55."

MTM's maintenance shop is JAR 145 certified for the Lear, the Challenger and also the Dornier 328.