Trans Euro Air Ltd, based at Southend Airport in the UK, has bought a Piper PA31 Navajo to add to its fleet.

The company was started operating two years ago and offers services ranging from charter to cargo, and engineering manager, Matt Case, says: "Over the past year I would say business has quadrupled. I'm pleased to say we are incredibly busy.

"The Piper is a nice little aircraft, it's a hard worker; it's great. It's a good intermediary plane between the PA34 and Cargo 90 that we've got.

"It sits in the middle very nicely. You can carry five passengers comfortably in cabin class."

At the moment, it is being used mainly for freight flights. Case explained: "We've transported kidneys, livers and hearts, for medical operations; freight such as last minute AOG spares; as well as passengers."

Case says his customers are very happy with the larger Piper, and has had some good feedback from passengers.

"We offer our services on a very rapid response basis. We can be airborne within 30 minutes of the confirmation of the charter," said Case. "And that has been an advantage after the increased security measures. It has definitely meant an increase in people booking charter flights with us. I would say we have seen 40% more people use us this month than normal since the measures were introduced. Our aeroplanes are constantly in the air at the moment.

"We pride ourselves in our professional approach and getting the job done very quickly. Our repeat custom has been incredible, I would guess that 75% of customers rebook with us. I think this is because we have proved to be very reliable."

The substantial period of growth of business has led the company,

not only to buy the Piper PA31, but to also look at adding another aircraft to its fleet.

"We don't know what type we are going to get yet, probably a turbine, the list of prospective purchases is to vast at the moment, but when we do make a decision, it will be based on where the market is taking us.

"What I do know is, whatever we buy, it will be the correct aircraft for the job. I'm not sure of precise dates but we will be buying it before the end of this year.

"We fly anywhere: Egypt, Basra, parts of Africa, but without a doubt, our most popular routes for cargo and charter, are into Europe.