London Executive Aviation (LEA) is set to take delivery of its tenth Citation, as part of a management contract. The Bravo – the third aircraft of its type to join the company’s 16-strong fleet – will be based at Farnborough Airport.

The owner of the aircraft is a long-standing client of LEA who chose to step up from ‘block hour’ chartering to aircraft ownership. “Our customer had owned aircraft prior to flying with LEA, but recently favoured

block hours as a hassle-free solution to his travel needs,” said managing director George Galanopolous.

“However, he has now decided that our management service makes sense for him, as we can take care of the operational worries and also provide a good level of income by regularly chartering his aircraft when he doesn’t need it.”

LEA says its block hour flight commitment programme, which offers clients 25 hours of flight at a reduced cost, has proven popular since it was introduced eight months ago, encouraging clients to assess their charter requirements before possibly committing to the purchase of their own aircraft.

Galanopolous states the company chose to base the Bravo at Farnborough because an increasing number of customers are flying from there due to its ‘convenient location and excellent facilities.’

“It’s proving especially popular for the leisure travel, with many customers heading to summer and ski destinations. Basing another aircraft there means we can better meet short notice demand and sharpen our pricing edge.”

The addition of the Bravo to the fleet follows the acquisition of a fourth managed Citation Excel, which is based at Luton Airport. Commenting on the company’s long-standing love affair with Citations, Galanopolous said: “They are ideal for the European market, combining outstanding comfort and efficiency with ample levels of performance. We’re certain that our charter customers will appreciate the quality of this latest aircraft.” \r

Other aircraft in LEA’s fleet include three Citation IIs and two King Airs.