Jordan's RayaJet plans to acquire longer range jets to service rising demand for flights to the U.K. and mainland Europe. The Amman-based operator has brought a Citation CE650 into service to complement its Challenger 601.

The company says it is building a larger fleet to accommodate short, medium and long range client preferences. It is examining both the new and pre-owned market. RayaJet says: "We have noted the growing demand for point- to-point services linking with commercial carriers."

It reports growing interest from young Jordanians in a career in executive aviation. "There have been enquiries since we were founded in 2005 as a regional operator and especially since our Jordanian AOC was obtained in 2006."

Private aviation has expanded rapidly in the Arab Gulf countries with favoured hubs including Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But RayaJet confirms demand is spreading throughout the Middle East.