Blue Line, a French airline with large fully-convertible aircraft for charter, is raising its presence and profile in the UK. "We are looking to develop business in the very important UK marketplace for Blue Line, which previously did not have a locally based presence," says bdm James Evans. "In addition to filling the void left by some of the operators who have failed during the recession we are looking at many exciting new opportunities in the UK."

A full refurbished A310 was brought into operation in April to spearhead expansion into the long haul vvip and charter market. Evans says: "The response has been absolutely brilliant. The level of requests and of interest has been phenomenal. Charters have included two major Premiership football teams."

Gareth Evans, bdm, says: "We are achieving good market penetration and we are operating with all the advantages that our international worldwide AOC offers. There is a great deal of interest from the sports and entertainment sectors. The A310 can take smaller groups but it offers a 220 split business and economy configuration or 88-114 seat full club class option and the capability for a non-stop trip between London and Los Angeles or London and Hong Kong."

The Blue Line fleet also includes two Fokker 100s, which convert between 100 and 52 seats and four MD83s which offer 167 or 54 seats. "They can be converted within eight to twelve hours," Gareth Evans adds.