Hunt&Palmer has strengthened its broker services in southern Europe to cater for rising leisure charter demand. The company says it has introduced a specialist sport travel department "specifically to work with the sponsors of major sporting events and to meet the exacting requirements of the corporate sports market."

It adds: "Recently there has been a marked increase in the numbers of executive charter flights and this may be contributing to the ever growing demand for private jets for leisure use."

Hunt&Palmer launched in France in 2000 with a two-person unit. This has become a seven office network serving France, Spain and Italy that employs nearly 30 people. The presence in the two Paris offices is being strengthened and specialist luxury tours are being developed for corporate leisure.