Trans Euro Air, which is targeting the cost-conscious private charter user, plans to bring a Beech 90 into service to cater for increasing booking enquiries flowing into its U.K. base in Southend.

Matt Case, aircraft purchase manager, says: "We are very hopeful of purchasing a Beech 90 to lease for cargo and simultaneously arranging the introduction into service of a Beech 90 for passenger service within two to three months."

Rising demand has already led to the acquisition of a Piper PA31 Navajo. "We are not confining

our further acquisitions to the

Piper PA31 but are looking to add another aircraft to our fleet," says Case. "We don't know what type we are going to get yet, but most probably it will be a turbine. There is a list of prospective purchases and

we are focused on acquiring the correct aircraft for the job before the end of this year."

He adds: "It is a priority to expand our passenger fleet which currently consists of two Senecas and one Navajo. We are attracting enquiries from people who are shopping around and are pleasantly surprised that they can get our aircraft for between a quarter and a half the

price that is quoted for Beech 200s. Many private charter clients are becoming more cost-conscious and we believe that we can provide a very good service at the price they are looking for."

"Over the past year I would say business has quadrupled so I'm pleased to say we are incredibly busy. The Piper is a nice little aircraft, it's a hard worker; it's great. You can carry five passengers comfortably in cabin class. We've also transported kidneys, livers and hearts for medical operations, and freight such as last minute AOG spares."

Case says: "We offer our services on a very rapid response basis. We can be airborne within 30 minutes of the confirmation of the charter and that has been an advantage because increased security measures on scheduled flights can result in enquiries that demand an instant operational response."