London Executive Aviation has just added a Citation II and a Citation Bravo to its fleet. The aircraft will be based mainly at Stansted and Biggin Hill airports and will be available for charter on a full-time basis. The aircraft join LEA’s existing fleet of 11.

“Despite the events and the difficult economic climate during the past 12 months, we had a very good year and the future looks even better,” said LEA md George Galanopoulos. “We are looking to add more aircraft under management in the next few months.”

He added: “Size is very important in our business; the next year will be hard for small operators. We have already seen operators going out of business in the last few months – one of them a major player – and I can see many more following soon.

“New regulations are a serious burden for one or two aircraft operators as it is very difficult for them to generate enough income to cover their overheads. The industry is ripe for consolidation.”