Dutch operator JetNetherlands has acquired a CitationJet, which it claims is a ‘valuable and necessary’ addition to its fleet.

JetNetherlands ceo Willem de Kruif said: “We have chosen it because we feel it meets the need of our local market. We are the only operator based with our fleet in Amsterdam that owns a Cessna CitationJet.

“We believe the Cessna CitationJet is a welcome, valuable, necessary addition to our fleet. We definitely felt an increase in demand for such a short-distance aircraft.

“Flying from Schiphol East with a Cessna CitationJet now brings major European Cities within easy reach for a reasonable price. The Cessna Citation 525 is capable of transporting up to five passengers who are seated in executive club class style seats, flying at 400mph in air-conditioned luxury. The cabin comes complete with a refreshment centre offering cold and hot drinks and first class catering,” he added.

The company aims to tap into the market in its local area by offering the CitationJet for charter from its base at Schiphol East, Amsterdam. “There are a number of large businesses in the Amsterdam area and we are confident that there is a great need for this aircraft to be utilised out of Amsterdam. With our new addition we’re aiming for the Dutch business community and the European metropolis as a destination.”

De Kruif cites the flexibility, steep approach, short runway requirements and payload versus range as key factors in the company’s decision to purchase the aircraft. It already has two clients who require more than 100 charter flight hours each per year and it expects to fly 500 hours annually with the CitationJet.

JetNetherlands experienced a growth of 20 per cent in charter requests the last three months. Seventy-five per cent of its Falcon trips are to the US and Canada and the remaining quarter are to the Far East and the rest of Europe.

Looking to the future, JetNetherlands is continually aiming to expand its aircraft management portfolio. “Our company is always looking for opportunities to manage aircraft for third parties,” said de Kruif. “We believe we have the infrastructure, technical knowledge and training programmes to do so.

“We are currently looking at what suits the needs of our passengers best as we have already for the mid-range market our Cessna Citation VI and for our long-range market with our Falcon 2000EX and 900B. Most of the demand for our long-range aircraft comes from brokers and operators in the UK, Germany and France.