At the end of October, Jetflite Oy of Helsinki, Finland put into operation its brand new Challenger 604. The news comes just after Jetflite has begun operating its third Falcon 20 F-5, having sold its old workhorses - a Hawker 700 and Challenger 600.

With a maximum range of 4,000nm, the 604 is described by Jetflite as the company's 'flagship'. Managing director Juhani Missonen told EBAN:"This Challenger 604 is the only business jet in its class in Europe with a maximum capacity of 18 passenger seats exclusively in commercial JAR OPS-1 operation."

With regard to the aircraft's configuration, Missonen says there are two possible cabin layouts. Firstly a vip configuration with 12 seats and secondly an airline type configuration with up to 18 seats. Onboard, Jetflite offers video, airshow and satellite telephone.

After completion of this fleet renewal programme, Jetflite's aircraft line-up will consist of five jet aircraft: three recently retrofitted Falcon 20 F-5s, one Challenger 604 and one Falcon 10/100. All the Falcons can be converted into air ambulance.

Said Missonen: "We have purchased four LifePort stretcher sets with loading ramp and full ICU-equipment to be installed into any of the aircraft. The company performs between 220 and 250 ambulance flights per year.

"Most of the flights are from the former Soviet Union. The range of aircraft is the most versatile in the Nordic countries and unparalleled also in Europe. We believe that the versatility of the fleet and its correctly dimensioned seating capacity have found a growing market niche particularly in Europe and Russia."

Jetflite is of the opinion that its location is of paramount importance when doing business in Russia. Said Missonen: "Jetflite Oy is one of leading Western service providers in Russian markets due to the geographical location of the company's home base in Helsinki, Finland."