Prague-headquartered Grossmann Jet Service, which has expanded its fleet to three aircraft and includes the Dalai Lama among its clients, will stay small and flexible despite expanding core operations in eastern Europe and Russia.

"At the moment no further additions to the fleet are planned as it is GJS's strategy to stay small and effective in the face of the global economic crises," says ceo Dagmar Grossmann. "We have a balanced fleet portfolio ranging from the comfortable Legacy 600 configured for 13 passengers to the stylish Hawker 900XP which transports eight and the compact Mustang for groups of up to four clients. I believe the current economic crisis will bring about a shake-out of service providers. This will create a void which GJS is ready to fill. Also there is increased demand for travel from business leaders in order to liaise with their key market partners face- to-face and GJS sees its business growing in 2009 by only slightly under 10 per cent. GJS is exploring and developing new markets."

Grossmann says: "The purchase of the Mustang means the GJS fleet portfolio is unmatched in our sphere of operations." The Mustang was chosen, she says, because it offers the advantages at a price "lower than any existing jet or even turboprop." Grossmann adds: "The Mustang complies with highest technical aviation standards. Its speed and range makes it an ideal choice for many European journeys while its maximum flying altitude takes it well above most weather conditions and commercial traffic, ensuring the smoothest of rides."

GJS, founded in 2004 initially as a broker, has preferential access to a Dornier 328 and also operates with a select network of operators to provide aircraft ranging from large jets to helicopters, she adds.

Grossmann, who has worked in aviation for more than 25 years, says that one of the highlights of her year was breakfasting with Tibet's Dalai Lama, one of the world's spiritual leaders. "The Dalai Lama is a modest man with a progressive mind and a fine sense of humour and sunny disposition whose first concern is always that everybody around him is well taken care of. His relaxed approach is evidenced by the absence of a formal protocol on flights."

The Dalai Lama, accompanied by Tibetan monks, travelled to Venice to receive honorary citizenship of the Italian city and to Baden Baden in Germany where he accepted the German Media Prize (Deutscher Medienpreis).

GJS reports steady enquiries at its Prague business jet set up centre which provides aircraft purchase consultancy services. "These cover everything from consulting, financing, negotiation with manufacturers and acquisition of licenses to finding qualified and professional crew."