Abelag, the long-established Belgian charter operator that was light jet focused five years ago, is putting a Falcon 900B into service as it rapidly adds long haul capacity.

Herve Laitat, deputy ceo, says the 900B will be joined in June 2007 by a Falcon 2000EX EASy and a CJ3 "and we are also working on two other CJ family projects."

Abelag, the biggest business aviation player in the Benelux, has 14 aircraft on its AOC - eight managed and six owned wholly or partially. The fleet includes the pre-owned Falcon 900B, a Falcon 2000, three Learjet 45s, two Citation XLS, one Ultra, one V and an SII; three Beech 200 and a 90. The second Excel joined the fleet in August.

"Five years ago were were mainly light jet oriented. Citations 500 series and smaller Learjets," says Laitat. "Then we added an Excel and it has created a new demand in the market. It became a blockbuster. Many clients were happier in a larger cabin and a better range.'

Abelag is putting resources behind developing long range business with destinations all over the world. It is

also catering to the burgeoning Russian market.

"There are more and more requests from Russia and America. Clients are getting to know that we have the capacity for trans-Atlantic flights and this is generating interest. The 900 has a 14-seat configuration which is a very good number not always easy to find among business aircraft at an economic price". Abelag's Falcon 2000EX EASy will be one year old at the delivery date next year, in keeping with Abelag's policy of acquiring modern aircraft that keep reducing the age of the fleet. "We have a young fleet and it is getting younger," says Laitat.

Founded in 1964, Abelag, focuses on air charter, aircraft handling and maintenance. It is a Bombardier service centre and also carries out line and base maintenance for Citations. It focuses mainly on its own fleet but also services other peoples' aircraft.

Laitat says Abelag, headquartered in Brussels with other bases in Kortrijk-Wevelgem, Antwerp and Lille, has a strong emphasis on safety. It is Wyvern approved and facilitates regular audits.

He says current indicators for business development are good. "Business aviation in Europe has always been far behind the U.S., but nowadays we are seeing more smaller companies interested in business aviation."