London based BlueStream Aviation reports an "overwhelming" client response to an expanded fleet based on Challengers and Citations. "We have acquired three Challenger 604s and all are in service on our AOC flying revenue charter work," says BlueStream md John Matthews. "The aircraft are London based, but having three dedicated charter aircraft of the same type allows us to effectively 'hot base' making our pricing extremely competitive."

Matthews adds: "There is great demand. We have been overwhelmed particularly by the level of business in Russia and the Middle East. Our client base includes high net worth individuals, governments, and people involved in the entertainment business. We are also delighted that several of our Citation Excel clients have 'upgraded' to the 604. Feedback has been extremely positive, with many comments on the standard of service from our multi-lingual cabin attendants."

Matthews says chairman Michael Platt has spent a great deal of time and effort in helping create and implement the 'BlueStream' product that includes a bespoke cabin service.

"Many new avenues are being explored, particularly in the Middle East; we are currently looking at the viability of opening a Dubai office," he adds. "Our management client base continues to expand, giving the same operational and maintenance support to our managed fleet as we do for our own aircraft. Future projects also include looking at becoming an EASA 145 maintenance organization, not only to support our own fleet, but in order to offer third party maintenance work also."

BlueStream Aviation, previously known as M.A.S. Airways Ltd., was founded in November 2000 by Matthews whose first charter was carried out on a PA31 Chieftain. "After year on year growth within the light jet market using the Citation family of aircraft, it was decided in 2007 that the successful development had reached a point where it was ready to move the company on to the next level."

Matthews was, until recently, the youngest accountable manager in the U.K. became md at the age of 20. Platt, who runs Europe's third largest hedge fund, BlueCrest Capital Management, became involved with M.A.S. in an aircraft management capacity. He agreed to provide the finance and enable the expansion and re-branding to go ahead.