German air ambulance specialist FAI rent-a-jet has brought a second Learjet 60 into service. "FAI is planning to extend its fleet of managed aircraft with at least two more additions this year," says director of sales and marketing Volke Lemke. "With a fleet of nine Learjets FAI is already operating one of the largest Learjet fleets in Europe, if not worldwide."

Both Learjet 60s are operated on behalf of corporate owners. One, based in Athens, is used for vip charter as well as ambulance work. The other, based in Nuernberg, is used exclusively for executive charter. Four other jets, based in Nuernberg, are dedicated to air ambulance and three operate contracts in West Africa.

Lemke says: "FAI revenues have risen in the first quarter of 2008 by nearly 50 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2007." For 2008, FAI is expecting an income of €25m (US$40m).

He says that, in 2007, FAI's Learjet fleet chalked up more than 7,000 hours. "In 2008 FAI is expecting a fleet utilisation of 10,000 hours of airtime."