The launch of an Icelandic air taxi operation based on the Mustang and the Eclipse is planned as European companies report a good initial response to VLJ availability. AccelJet ceo Einar Arnarsson says that the Reyjavik headquartered operator has a Citation Mustang lined up and that there are also two Eclipse 500s on order for delivery in 2009 and 2010.

Meanwhile London Executive Aviation (LEA) says its Mustangs have swiftly found favour with customers. "The Mustang's low acquisition and operating cost have enabled LEA to reduce its entry price for jet chartering by up to 30 per cent," says George Galanopoulos, LEA's md. "We expected a slower take-up for the Mustang, as it is a completely new type on the charter market. However, customers clearly love it and are entirely comfortable with the more compact cabin, which many have said feels more spacious than expected," he says.

LEA's Mustang fleet manager Graeme Foley says: "The Mustang's large-format flight displays and integrated sensors provide our pilots with outstanding situational awareness of weather, traffic and terrain." The first five Mustangs are being based at Luton, Stansted, Biggin Hill and Farnborough.

Smart Air S.A. has announced a first fractional ownership program in Europe for Diamond's single-engine four-plus-one place composite D-Jet. The company has purchased eight D-Jets. Deliveries are scheduled for 2010, and the company says it has options for more. Smart Air plans to operate the fleet from offices in Finland, UK, France, Benelux, Germany and Italy."