DaimlerChrysler Aviation expects to make further acquisitions hard-on-the-heels of signing a deal to take three new Citation XLS aircraft for its charter fleet based in Germany.

Jonas Kraft, director of sales and marketing. said: "Two of the aircraft will be based in Stuttgart and one in Munich. With five aircraft of that type, DaimlerChrysler Aviation will have the largest Citation XLS fleet

in Europe."

He said that Daimler Chrysler Aviation had sold a Learjet 60 in January. "We are now going to concentrate our efforts on the XLS."

Kraft added: "We have identified that the average flight required by our customers is around one hour and that the XLS is more nearly suited to this requirement than the Learjet which might be needed for

two-plus hours."

The focus on growing a fleet of the same type of aircraft also helped rationalise maintenance.

Kraft said: "You can expect another announcement soon. We are flying seven-days-a-week."

The three new Citation XLS should be delivered within weeks taking the total aircraft in the fleet to 14. Other aircraft include the Airbus A319, Falcon 2000, Challenger 604 and Citation X.