Netjets has doubled an order for Hawkers to 96 aircraft with an undisclosed number scheduled to boost its fleet in Europe.

The new order, by NetJets Aviation and NetJets Europe, is valued at more than $500 million and is for the purchase of 48 additional Hawker 750 and 900XP aircraft for their European and U.S. operations. NetJets had already ordered 48 Hawkers at the NBAA convention in October last year.

A spokeswoman in London told EBAN: "It has not finally been decided how many of these aircraft will be primarily for operation in Europe." But NetJets indicated that it regarded the Hawker 750 as key to its European fleet expansion plans.

Deliveries under the initial order for the Hawker 900XP will begin in 2007 and continue through 2009: deliveries under the follow-up order will run from 2009 through 2012. Deliveries under the initial order for the Hawker 750 will begin in 2008 and continue through 2009, while deliveries under the new follow-up order will run from 2010 through 2011.

Richard Santulli, NetJets chairman, says: "The Hawker 750 is a fantastic fit for our European customers, enhan-cing our NetJets Europe fleet."

He says the cabin, extended range, payload capabilities, reliability and comforts of the Hawker brand were integral to the purchasing decisions.

NetJets Europe has opened a new crew gateway in Aberdeen, Scotland. It already operates one in Edinburgh.