Dutch operator Solid Air will add a Challenger 850 with a chef as an "optional extra" in the first quarter of 2008 to meet a growing appetite for luxury long range private aircraft.

Solid Air ceo and co-founder Huub Van Den Hout says: "The concept of this aircraft is rather unique. It's not just that it will offer a 15 seat configuration equipped with a luxurious kitchen, two lavatories, six beds, a very advanced entertainment system, and all conceivable communication equipment including internet. Nor that clients will have a crew that includes two pilots and one or two hostesses. But, it is that, as an extra service, a chef may be hired for cooking on site a la carte for clients."

He adds: "Of course we tested market appetite for this new concept and there seems to be a huge demand. In 2008 we will be able to serve an even wider range of customers who want high end services."

Sales and marketing manager Jerome van der Schaar adds: "We have put a great deal of thought into developing our long range fleet and the Challenger 850 is an important addition." The Challenger 850 is Solid Air's third intercontinental aircraft taking its total fleet to 13. Hourly rates start at e2,200 for the CitationJet rising to around three times this fare for the new Challenger 850.

Solid Air now offers a Citation 525, a Piaggio Avanti II, three Citation Vs and three Citation VIs. It also has two Dornier 328s, a Falcon 50EX, a Falcon 900 and a Challenger 850.