Chris Matthews, the business tycoon behind the UK dating agency Club Sirius and founder of telecoms company Telinco, has launched Sirius Aviation. The company operates on a fractional ownership model, enabling businesses and individuals to buy a stake in a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle.

Passionate about flying himself, Matthews has included the opportunity for the stakeholder to take flying lessons in the US under guidance of the Sirius team.

Trainee pilots have to make their way up to the school and pay for accommodation, but the tuition fee of up to $5,000 is covered in the programme.

Matthews said: “In my experience, time is money. The fractional ownership programme offers many benefits to people wanting privacy, speed and comfort when they travel.

“A tour with a commercial flight takes 60 per cent more time than privately and our flight offers safety and quality and will take travellers wherever they want to go.”

Fractional ownership of the aircraft is offered at under £200,000 for a quarter share plus a monthly charge, which includes 200 hours flying per year, insurance, maintenance and full service of the aircraft.

The aircraft has a capacity of four people plus a two-member crew and can fly within a five-and-a-half hour radius to over 100 airports in the UK and further afield.

A spokesperson added: “By buying a fraction of an aircraft and the full back-up of the management company, you can have all the benefits of ownership without the hassles.

“The bigger the aircraft, the stronger the case for sharing costs to ensure the asset is not just sitting around for weeks and months on end.”