Flight Options Inc. is to begin offering service in Europe utilising new Citation Excel aircraft. The first Excel is scheduled to be operational in August, 2001. In the interim, Flight Options will be providing service using Hawker 800 aircraft.

The European strategy has been developed through an exclusive agreement with UK charter/ management company, Chauffair.

Chauffair has a firm order for seven Citation Excel aircraft with an option on two additional aircraft - all will now be outfitted in the Flight Options livery. Both companies believe the Citation Excel to be a perfect mix of capabilities for the European operating environment.

"For nearly twenty years, Chauffair has provided uncompromising quality in European air charter transportation," said Chauffair owner and md Nick Probett. "We have consistently invested our resources where it mattered most - from in-house maintenance facilities to our own catering chefs to the purchase of Excels for the marketplace.

"Flight Options has also done an exceptional job of providing superior quality service in the US. We are looking forward to working together to expand our respective operations."