Italian air charter operator Icaro Aerotaxi is to acquire a Citation VII to supplement its fleet of smaller Citations. “We will catch another branch of the market due to its more comfortable cabin, faster speed, APU, separate toilet and greater endurance to reach the rich cities and markets like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and for customers that want a stand-up aircraft cabin,” says Capt Massimo Bernucci.

This is not a good time for air taxis in Italy, with the country facing big financial crises but Bernucci believes that the spring and summer will see an improvement. “The people that use private aircraft are still present,” he says.

“We will always continue to fly because one of our aircraft is a Citation II with 11 passenger seats – the only one in Europe – and we often fly for exhibitions all over Europe. “At the end of the day the tariff with 10 or 11 passengers is like the business class of an airline. So we are optimistic for the future.”

Icaro has registered its fleet in Germany, citing the speed of response from the LBA authority as a key advantage.