Interjet's Bologna-based chief pilot Maurizio Tampellini has recommended the Raytheon Hawker 800XP to a client because of its popularity with clients.

The 800XP has replaced an old Falcon 10. Tampellini claims it is the first 800XP in Europe equipped with drag-reducing winglets.

Tampellini, who has recommended an 800XP purchase to a regular client, says: "The aeroplane is very good, it is very stable, quiet, comfortable and reliable. We have made 300 flights and we haven't had one single problem. We haven't had to cancel one flight, or anything. We haven't had any problems of any kind."

However Tampellini says the 800XP design could be improved by a baggage compartment that is accessible from outside.

He adds: "The aircraft isn't as fast as the Falcon 10, but that was a plane that was famous for its performance, and no other aeroplane is at the same level. If the Hawker is full, it's not so fast, but with 50 per cent of fuel, it climbs fast, and its performance is great. We are very satisfied.

"The aircraft is very flexible. If its load is light, it can land on short runways."

The 800XP is credited with increasing charter flight time. Tampellini says: "The average flight time has gone from 40 minutes up to 65 minutes. That means that we are doing many return flights of more than two hours to build up this average flight time.

"The people really like the plane. Before, we were working roughly 15 days per month, now, for the past three months, we have worked 23 or 24 every month."

The increased work load means that Tampellini is now looking for another captain to share the flying duties.

The 800XP is based at Bologna Airport. It will be taken to Jet Aviation in Zurich for maintenance.