A Citation Excel has recently arrived with UK charter operator Oxaero whose staff collected the aircraft from the Wichita factory in the US on schedule.

Managing director Alex Durand said: “We had planned for the Excel to be operational from March 1 when we ordered it nearly two years ago – we are all very proud to meet this deadline, especially considering the many complex issues involved.

“The Excel opens the door to a wide range of clients who require the comfort of a more spacious mid-sized cabin, for the price of a small business jet.

“The interest from brokers and our existing clients has been phenomenal and we anticipate a very busy flying programme.”

Oxaero is among the first British operators of the Citation Excel, having grown over the last 20 years from an air taxi service into a large charter operator.