The Omni Aviation Group expects to bring a third ACJ into service early in 2010. Configured for 19 passengers it marks an upwards progression in luxury complementing 29-seat and 48-seat ACJs already in service.

Stefan Buschle, group chief commercial officer of the group of 18 aviation companies, says that the new ACJ will meet demand from government and heads of state in the Middle East, Africa and Russia.

"There will also be a demand from vvip families and international business heads," he adds. The 19-passenger ACJ offers a luxury bedroom and separate bathroom, a dining area for six and an office as well as six seats for aides and officials.

Buschle says the high end of the private charter market has held up well during the global economic recession and Omni is responding to established demand which it expects to increase.

"We will also be taking delivery of another Challenger 300 in 2010 and this signals the end of a compar-atively low profile year in 2009 for Omni as far as fleet expansion was concerned," Buschle adds.

The group, which operates more than 50 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft from bases in Portugal, France, Brazil and Cape Verde, has taken the opportunity presented by the recession to consolidate, he says.

"We have used 2009 putting in a lot of hard work on training which will benefit our clients, but 2010 will be a year for judicious expansion," he says. "There's no denying that 2009 was difficult for executive charter but the Omni group has benefited considerably from its huge diversity of operations. We have, for instance, 25 helicopters that serve contracts in the oil and gas sector."