PrivatAir is finalising its plans to add wide-bodied long haul capability to its operations for the next decade and beyond. Greg Thomas, ceo, said PrivatAir was evaluating the merits and availability of the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, for delivery in six or seven years.

He said: "We still require a wide-bodied jet this year in the B767 or A330 range. We plan to take delivery of this kind of aircraft before Christmas. We are in the middle of concluding this deal for our shareholders."

PrivatAir has more than 40 aircraft in its fleet, ranging from turboprops to light jets and heavy iron, but says that the growing need for long haul trips, particularly between the US and Asia and the US and Europe, meant it wanted to "reinforce its capabilities in terms of range."

PrivatAir, which announced that it had beaten charter sales targets by over 60 per cent in the first

four months of 2006, is expanding its sales team.