Portuguese charter operator Aeronorte, enjoying a thriving aerial market, is looking to add a twin engine helicopter to its fleet. At the same time it is developing its charter capacity and brought a Learjet 45 into service in June. This joins an AS350B2, two Bell UH-1Es, three Bell UH-1Hs, an AB206B, an Air Tractor AT-802, a Dromader M-18B and a Cessna R172K.

Aeronorte says the Learjet 45 will service charters to central Europe as far as Kiev and Ankara, as well as north African destinations including Libya, Morocco and Nigeria.

The fleet expansion meant that, in June, Aeronorte was seeking to expand its roster of captains and technicians dedicated to the Learjet 45. It also looked at increasing the number of technicians experienced in Bell 204, 205, 206 and AS350B2 maintenance.

Aeronorte says it is optimistic that both aerial work and charter will grow. The company says it is the first, and so far only, private charter operator to base a jet at Oporto airport. It plans to build a hangar at the airport within three years.

"We wish to build on our presence here," the company says.