Executive Aviation Services (EAS) has recently added a Citation Bravo, a Super King Air 350 and a Britten-Norman Islander to its management and charter fleet.

"With the addition of the King Air 350, one of only two available for charter in the U.K., we can offer our charter clients an eight seat configuration in a larger cabin as well as access to airfields with shorter runways, increasing flexibility while enabling them to make the most of their time at their destination. For those really out of the way airfields the Islander is a tremendous alternative for up to eight passengers," says Capt. Peter Turner, ceo.

The EAS fleet also includes two Citation Bravos and a Citation II based at the U.K.'s Gloucestershire airport. These are complemented by two King Air 200s based at Cardiff airport and a further King Air 200 deployed from Retford/Gamston. The latest additions, based in Gloucestershire, are available for charter within western and near eastern Europe, Scandinavia and North Africa.

Capt. Turner says: "We are currently sourcing a further Bravo for a regular charter customer. As an aircraft management company the decision whether to order new or pre-owned aircraft is fully dictated by the requirements of the owner in respect to utilisation, range, capacity and price."

Kirstie Turner, operations director, says: "The majority of our charter requests are through charter brokers, increasingly through Avinode.com, but we are experiencing increasing levels of enquiries from direct clients through our new website, www.exas.co.uk."

She adds: "As we are only 30 minutes flying time from all the major London airports a large part of our charter work is for the business sector with all aircraft having London City approval.

"Over the last year we have noticed an increase in the number of charter requests from Birmingham, Manchester, East Midlands and Leeds Bradford, all within 40 minutes of our main Gloucestershire base. In the case of charter clients in the north of England our King Air 200 based at Gamston is a useful option."

Capt. Ken Wilson, EAS's chief pilot, says: "The Citation Bravo is one of the most popular and reliable business jets presently operating at present with the ability to comfortably reach all major European capitals." EAS is a Cessna Citation Type Rating Training Organisation.

The King Air 350 has a spacious interior with an accessible baggage allowance of up to 550 lbs carrying, as an example, eight passengers from London Luton to the Cote d'Azur in two hours and 20 minutes.

"The aircraft's ability to utilise shorter runways than those for a similar size jet allows access to a great number of airfields offering increased flexibility to the customer," Capt. Wilson adds.

EAS recruits all staff through open application derived from advertisements in trade publications. The company currently employs five administrative personnel and operates with a pool of 22 pilots. "Our recruitment situation is currently under review in light of the new additions to our fleet," says Capt. Wilson. The main revenue stream is through charter but there is a major focus on providing aircraft management and consultancy to owner clients. Capt. Wilson says: "Our utilisation of aircraft is growing by demand. We look for a minimum of 400 hours annual utilisation per aircraft." Formed in 1982, EAS, a family owned and run aircraft management, consultancy and charter company, has grown over the years to operate eight aircraft on its AOC.