Biggin Hill's Zenith Aviation is reporting a positive start to the year, with charter sales up as much as 250 per cent year-on-year. “I couldn't have predicted the activity that we have seen,” remarks MD Stuart Mulholland.

“In 2016 we had three times as much business as 2015, and I could never have imagined a similar story this year. But so far we are significantly up on charter sales compared to last year, and it has been one aircraft after another in for base maintenance. We have almost been too busy but, like everyone else, we are loathe to let the customers down.”

With the coming months heavily booked up, it looks as though there will be sustained activity throughout 2017. Mulholland says this speaks very positively for the UK market, and believes that the company's two new Learjet 75s have been key. “The Learjet 75s are amazing. It is a very ageist industry in the sense that people prefer the newer aircraft and brokers like to promote them.

“Having the newest aircraft on the UK market available for charter has put us in a fantastic position. Brokers have really taken to it, especially those who offer loyalty cards.”