Improvements to airport facilities in Europe are encouraging charter operators to expand their fixed wing and helicopter fleets. Deliveries in the U.K. include a brand new EC135 T2+. Michael Hampton, md of Oxford Air Services, says: "The recently installed instrument landing system and greatly increased opening hours, has transformed Oxford Airport for corporate jet traffic and the onward 25 minute helicopter flight into London."

The EC135 T2+ is configured for up to six passengers with a cruise speed of 130+ knots. Hampton adds: "It has been deliberately priced below Agusta 109 rates to encourage new users. The selection of the EC135 T2+ was a logical one based on experience. We have been so impressed by the reliability and popularity of our first EC135, that we were delighted to take under management this second aircraft. We make our helicopters are available 24/7 often at very short notice."

Oxford Air Services also operates AS350 and AS355s and specialises in the full range of aerial photography.

Le Castellet in France is setting out its stall to attract top-of-the-range business jet owners with the construction of a new hangar able to accommodate two BBJs. The new 5,000 sq. m hangar opens in May and is in addition to four others able to take up to Global Express or Gulfstream IV and V. Philippe Gurdjian, airport president and ceo, says: "We now have the best business aviation adapted airport in the south of France. BBJ owners can park their aircraft safely and shielded from any salt pollution, a true advantage and a considerable asset bearing in mind the proximity of the Mediterranean."

Meanwhile the U.K.'s Coventry airport has appointed Blue City Aviation to handle its FBO. "The airport witnessed a 35 per cent increase in private jet traffic in 2007 over the previous year," says Chris Orphanou, airport ceo. "Our business strategy includes bolstering the amount of corporate jet charters and with our 24/7 availability and our close proximity to all the major motorways, we have a real advantage."

Blue City Engineering offers heated and secure hangar facilities for private jets. It is JAR/FAA approved on aircraft including the Cessna Citation jet and Jetstream 31/32 and Metroliner turboprops.

The growing demand for handling services in eastern Europe has led to the expansion of Bulgaria's Right Air which offers charter, broker, vip, passenger and cargo flight handling services at Sofia, Plovdiv, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bourgas and Varna. Ivan Alexndrov, gm says Right Air can arrange overfly permission for private charter operators and others.

Encore FBO, GTCR Golder Rauner and Platform Partners have completed the acquisition of Landmark Aviation's airport services division, consisting of 33 FBOs, from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE). The combined company, which will retain the Landmark Aviation name, consists of 41 FBOs.

Swissport International, meanwhile, has obtained the licences for a period of seven years to provide ground services at Larnaca and Paphos in Cyprus, working with its partners G.A.P. Vassilopoulos and Cyprus Airways.