Czech charter operator Time Air has taken delivery of the first Nextant 400XT business jet destined for a European registry. The aircraft is being managed on behalf of a private owner and is already in operation on Time Air's AOC.

"We, as much as the owner, have very high expectations," says md Martin Prazsky. "The aircraft has a great cabin – roomy with a flat floor and very stylish. As a matter of fact, we have had it made to our specifications based on a Beechjet 400 that we have been operating for two-and-a-half years now.

"There were specific reasons why we had the 400 made the way it is, and it has turned out that the clients love the layout that makes it truly the most spacious light jet."

He adds: "Consequently we've had the 400XT made the same way and as a bonus were able to make a bigger, very comfortable lavatory."

It is the 16th 400XT business jet delivered worldwide. "The 400XT's exceptional combin-ation of highly affordable operating economics, best-in-class range, significantly reduced carbon emissions and noise compliance that exceeds Stage IV requirements make it the perfect aircraft for the European market. There is no other aircraft in the world like it, and it is a highly attractive addition to our charter services offering," adds Prazsky.

The private buyer and Time Air will work closely also with Nextant to provide demon-stration flights for prospective owners in Europe. "The 400XT is particularly well-suited to the European market, since its 2,003nm range enables travellers to reach destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East and north Africa with non-stop flights," says Jay Heublein, vp sales and marketing, Nextant Aerospace.

The 400XT development process employs a remanufactured airframe from the Beechjet 400A/XP aircraft, enhanced with Williams FJ44-3AP turbofan engine, Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 integrated avionics suite, advanced electronics including high-speed wireless internet service, and completely rebuilt interiors. The resulting aircraft delivers a 30 per cent reduction in operating costs over the Beechjet 400A/XP and fuel efficiency improvements of 20-30 per cent, depending on the length of the flight segment.

Time Air has also registered an additional Citation Mustang, which has taken its place as the third in the fleet. The new addition comes from Spain and the owners intend to charter the aircraft around Spain and western Europe. "With this particular aircraft, Time Air will be responsible only for the operation of the aircraft, not for the sales," says Prazsky.

"We are responsible for the charter sales of the remaining two Mustangs and we've got them moving to our full satisfaction. So far I would estimate a year over year 20 per cent increase in flight hours per aircraft."

Time Air is always happy to advise potential aircraft buyers of which types are likely or not to attract charter business. "It was for this reason that we recommended the sale of a Piper Cheyenne IIIA that is no longer in our fleet," he adds. "On the other hand, our King Air 350 has changed owners recently, and the new one is happy that the aircraft performs almost exactly as we predicted – very well. It would have been a cliché to tag a King Air as a workhorse, if it was not very true. Time Air has always operated a King Air and we went through almost all of them (90, 200, 300 and now 350). The 350 is a great aircraft and we believe it will always have its market because it can fly eight passengers for at least some 13 to 14 hundred nautical miles in double club roomy cabin comfort. It is for this reason that the owner has long-term plans with it."