Four new Learjet 85s have been ordered by Bahrain-headquartered Rizon. Will Curtis, ceo, says: "The Learjet 85 will be an aircraft for all seasons for Rizon - serving the Middle East in the winter and Europe in the summer - mirroring the travel trends of Rizon's regular clients. It has all the benefits of the excellent Learjet 45 which has been such a popular charter aircraft, only with more space."

Ultimately, he says, Rizon expects to base two of the Learjet 85s permanently in the UK. "The Learjet 85 is ideally sized for us to support our growing charter activity in the Middle East and to expand our activity into Europe. The UK is an important base for us."

Curtis points out that the Learjet 85 can fly up to eight passengers over a 3,000 nm range. The first is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2009 and will join Rizon's three Challenger 605s. Rizon has also ordered a Global 5000 - due to arrive in 2011 - and a second Hawker 900XP, scheduled for delivery in April 2009. And, in September, Rizon will open a new $20 million MRO and FBO facility at London Biggin Hill.

Rizon, which has offices in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, celebrates its second anniversary as a company in April. "We are focused on Asia, India, Russia and Africa as well as the Middle East and Europe," Curtis says.

The company will also expand its services establishing an aircraft trading and management arm and an aviation training college specifically aimed at growing the skills base of AGCC nationals, Curtis says. Plans to become an authorised service centre for various OEMs for operators in the Arab Gulf, Middle East and Indian subcontinent are being advanced in both Bahrain and London.

Rizon also plans to bring five converted CRJ200 airliners into service to compete cost-effectively in the midsize and super midsize sectors.