Concierge Aviation has added an eight-seat Hawker 750 to its managed fleet and is offering the aircraft for charter from Biggin Hill.

The Kemble-based operator continues to fly its Learjet 40XR from home base, but reports that the first weeks of operation of the Hawker have been busy. "We see this expansion as a key stage in our development," says md Glen Smith, formerly with Air Partner at Biggin Hill. "It presents the opportunity for us to demonstrate our service quality in the mid-size market from a London base. The Hawker 750 combines range and speed with a true stand-up cabin, offering our clients a far wider range of non-stop destinations. The classic cabin configuration of five individual seats and a three-seat divan is more spacious than many other aircraft in this class.

"There is a strong charter market at Biggin Hill, well supported by extensive aircraft maintenance facilities for most types in current use. We are pleased to become a part of this growing community," he adds.

Concierge Aviation launched AOC operations in September last year with the Learjet 40XR and, despite the market conditions, has seen an excellent level of interest in this aircraft. Smith adds, "On the whole, the charter market remains very competitive, but we will not under-sell our aircraft. We are contracted to manage the aircraft on behalf of the owners. We look after their long-term interests which includes maximising return per hour and maintaining the residual value of their asset. We have deliberately focused on service delivery as we see an opportunity in the market, particularly in the light and mid-size sector. Some would call this approach 'old school' but we are receiving enquiries from clients who are looking for exactly this type of operation."

Chief pilot Bryan Treadgold expressed his belief in the Concierge ethos: "We will grow at a rate where we can control our service and stand by our assurance of quality – over promising and under delivering is not an option."