Italy's Topjet Executive is extending the range and versatility of its charter fleet with a new Hawker 850XP. "This is a big improvement for our fleet and, if the market grows as well as we anticipate, we will consider buying another," says president Dino Rasero.

He says Topjet, which operates from Milan Linate airport, already owns two Beechjet 400As and a Hawker 850XP, and manages a privately operated Vulcanair P68.

"We fly all over Europe with the Beechjet fleet and we plan to do the same with the Hawker but we will be able to offer increased comfort and also add some Russian, Middle Eastern and American destinations. We will be able to fly it into London City which will be very useful in planning U.K. itineraries," Rasero says.

"We believe that, in the rest of 2007, the synergy in our expanded fleet will enable us to meet the highest possible number of charter requests. The 850XP will have its own market, but it can also contribute as a backup to the Beechjet fleet. The Topjet target for the fleet in 2007 is around 1,500 hours."

He adds: "The 850XP is simply fantastic. We have already shown it to actual and prospective customers and they were impressed by the level of comfort and the range. They enjoy the feeling that comes from being comfortably aboard a piece of strong heavy iron."

The 850XP configuration is flexible offering eight or nine seats, and three full beds can be arranged. "The 850XP has also two screens for Airshow and DVD, headsets in each seat, cd player and satellite phone," says Rasero. "It is a roomy, comfortable and reliable midsize aircraft. We are convinced that it will be an excellent addition to the fleet." Topjet also operates as charter broker.