Sky-Service of Belgium has teamed up with Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (NVH) to provide a corporate helicopter service, featuring two A109Cs and one Dauphin. With one Agusta based in Kortrijk, one in Antwerp and the Dauphin at residence in Ostende, Sky-Service - operator of nine business jets - says the response from customers has been immediate.

Sales manager Luc Olivier told EBAN: "Yesterday we got a call from a client who wanted to fly from Kortrijk to Paris, departing within the next one and a half hours. We were able to do it with the Agusta, no problem.

"In my opinion, the big thing for the client is that he can pick up the phone, dial one number and get an answer immediately on the price and availability of the helicopters."

Most recently, the companies have been transporting UEFA officials and a host of vip clients between grounds at football's Euro 2000 competition. Olivier said: "We applied for landing slots at each ground, got them, and offered our helicopter services. We worked on an ad hoc basis, picking up clients at 24 hours' notice.

While the helicopters are on the AOC of Ostende-based NVH, Sky-Service is responsible for the marketing of the aircraft. Olivier added: "All three helicopters are IFR and they are all based at IFR-equipped airports. Couple that with the 24-hour availability of Sky-Service, and it makes it possible for the client to call whenever he wants."

Regarding Kortrijk, the base for Sky-Service, Olivier said: "In the last few years we have seen quite an increase both in the amount of flights and the types of business aircraft landing on the 1,900 metre runway."