Tour operators are lining up bookings for what PrivatAir has billed as the only Boeing 767 in the world designed for luxury vip charter.

The 767, available for hire from PrivatAir next year, will accommodate 56 passengers in first-class comfort and feature a dining area for eight with the range to fly non-stop from Geneva to Los Angeles or Singapore.

Greg Thomas, ceo, says: "PrivatAir will take delivery of the Boeing 767-300ER in December and carry out an extensive re-fit to offer clients the world's first widebody airliner in vip configuration for charter starting in April next year."

He adds: "The new addition will confirm PrivatAir as the private charter operation with the widest range of aircraft available on the market." PrivatAir manages a fleet of more than 50 aircraft ranging from a Beech King Air to an executive Boeing 757, operating out of bases in Europe and the United States.

Thomas confirms there is a revived demand for luxury air tour holidays from U.S. tourists to Europe

and European tourists to the U.S. "One of the major sources of

revenue for our large airliner-type charter operations have been luxury travel operators. While some

tours, such as the ones organised by Swiss luxury tour operator Exklusiv Reisen, are in Europe, others have starting points in the U.S. or even other locations."

Demand for BBJs is consistently high. "There has been heightened interest from above tour operators, as well as from the broker market, and even governments," Thomas says.

He adds: "We are evaluating the possibility of operating either the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 in the future. PrivatAir has always been at the forefront of business aviation. We were the first commercial operator of the Boeing Business Jet, and the first to implement a scheduled operation with the long-range Airbus A319. Our long-standing relationship with both airframe manufacturers enables us to objectively evaluate the best aircraft on a case-by-case basis."

PrivatAir buys new or pre-owned according to its evaluation of what is needed. Thomas says: "This specific 767 has been in service since 2000 with KLM but the BBJs, for instance, joined us brand new."

Richard Koe, vp of charter sales, says: "The charter sales team has surpassed budgetary figures by over 60 per cent for the first half of this year. We've set ourselves aggressive targets, and in turn, need to make sure we have the resources to maintain this success."

Based in Geneva, the Boeing 767 will replace PrivatAir's existing 28-seat BBJ. Thomas says it will complement a choice ranging from a Global Express to Cessna Citations on both sides of the Atlantic.

"With an aircraft of this quality, we are reaffirming our position in the marketplace with an airliner that will appeal to both business and government clients thanks to its range and layout," he says.

PrivatAir, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has operating bases in Zurich, Duesseldorf, Hamburg and Munich, Germany, and, through its U.S. subsidiary, PrivatAir Inc. throughout the U.S. It also provides private airline services, ground services and aircraft sales and management.