Transped Aviation, a newly-formed division of the Austria-based transport and logistics firm Transped Group, has acquired its first charter aircraft, a Learjet 31A.

The aircraft was delivered in December last year and has already begun operating executive charter services in Austria and the rest of Europe.

The Austrian president flew to Berlin in the LR31A in February 2006 to attend the funeral of the former German president Johannes Rau.

Explained ceo Peter Wilczek: "I have been with Transped since the beginning when it was established in 1983. We had already been successful with transport on the ground, so we decided to start a new business in the air, which is why we launched Transped Aviation in 2005.

"The aircraft was delivered in December and we are already considering a second aircraft, probably another 31A, as we are the only charter operator in Austria with this aircraft type, which distinguishes us from other charter companies. If not a 31A, it might be a Learjet 45."

The aircraft is nearly new, having flown only 700 hours. If the demand continues, Transped expects it

to fly 400 to 500 hours this year. So far, the response from clients has been positive.

"The response so far has been brilliant; our clients like it very much. The 31A is great for flying within Europe and North Africa, but because of its limited range the aircraft's primary use is for flying to places like Moscow.

"Later on, we might consider managing aircraft or buying one with a longer range. There is an increasing demand for flights to Dubai, for example, but at this stage we are concentrating on developing the company."