One of Italy’s largest business jet operators, Eurofly Service will operate a recently purchased Falcon 900EX for an unnamed owner.

A spokesman said that the aircraft will generally be used by Fiat, one of Eurofly’s biggest non-share-holding customers.

The Falcon 900EX has been modified from a possible 21 seat capacity to a more spacious 12 seat configuration, and Eurofly claims that it will help respond to increased customer requests for aircraft able to cover intercontinental distances.

Eurofly merged with CAF (Consorzio Aeromobile Fiat) in 1999, but retained its name after restructuring.

The company both owns and manages aircraft, its personal fleet incorporates Falcon 2000s, 50s and 20s as well as Lear 55s and a 31, and Eurofly is currently looking at the possibility of replacing the 55 with the more modern Learjet 45.

Around 60 per cent of the company’s business revolves around Eurofly’s shareholdres, the spokesman said: “Instead of owning shares in a particular aircraft, like the Netjets project, our customers can buy shares in

the company.

“An additional hourly rate charge then enables them to take advantage of our whole fleet, rather than one aircraft.” Major shareholders include: Bizjet, Bizjet Italia, Pirelli and Olivetti.