Polish-based business air carrier Blue Jet recently took a factory demonstrator Learjet 60XR aircraft on its first ever tour of Poland.

"The business charter industry in Poland is much less developed compared not only with western Europe or Russia but even with the Czech Republic," says head of sales and marketing Grzegorz Wydmanski. "There are a few dozen Polish customers using this type of service but the number of people who can afford this kind of transportation is five to eight times higher. So the tour had at least two goals – to educate and to sell.

"We chose Warsaw, Krakow (and Katowice which is very close), Wroclaw, Poznan and Gdansk airports to present the aircraft, and invited Ferrari Poland to demonstrate its cars as well."

The tour comprised private viewings: "I don't think it is a secret that there are a few prospective customers highly interested in buying the Learjet after this tour. They are my prospects as well – if they buy the Learjet or other aircraft then Blue Jet will help them to manage, maintain and charter (if they would like to put the aircraft into commercial usage). Ferrari Poland gained new contacts as well, as they have their showroom only in Warsaw. There are several additional customers who are my prospect on charters. I believe most of them I will convert to charter customers to increase the aviation business in Poland."

Blue Jet manages seven aircraft: a Global 5000, two Challenger 300, a Citation XLS, a Premier One, a CJ2, and has just registered a Legacy 600 which it is in process of putting it into commercial usage. Last year the company flew more than 4,200 charter hours and says it is always looking for new business opportunities. "We plan to expand our fleet by the end of this year with additional aircraft for management and charter," adds Wydmanski.