FlairJet is bringing its second Phenom 100 into operation after celebrating its arrival as the first business aircraft to be imported direct and cleared via London Oxford airport.

The aircraft, flown in from the United States by Capt Graham Rose and first officer Danielle Stoney joined the company's other Phenom 100 which arrived in the UK on 29 October.

The second Phenom 100 flew from Embraer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stops were made at Richmond, Virginia, Quebec, Goose Bay, Narsarsuaq in Greenland, Keflavik in Iceland and Wick, Scotland.

Stoney, who joined FlairJet from Oxford Aviation Academy, says: "Being on this delivery flight was a fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity, the highlight being the approach into Narsarsuaq. I feel very privileged to be at the forefront of such an exciting new venture."

Capt David Fletcher says Flairjet, which is backed financially by three senior lawyers, will be one of the first companies in Europe to operate the Phenom 100 commercially.

Steve Jones, md Oxford airport, says: "This is the first time that an aircraft has been imported into the EU via Oxford, following recent changes to the airport's UK border authority status. Southampton-based import and export specialists Forest Aviation Services Ltd were instrumental in the landmark clearance. Having this approval helps operators, sales companies and maintenance organisations residing at Oxford import from third party countries without the need to go via another customs designated airport in the UK first."

Flairjet's first Phenom 100 was flown into the UK by Capt Fletcher and Capt Rose. Fletcher says: "The aircraft handles brilliantly. It is a joy to fly." He says he enjoyed "spectacular approaches" into the Caribbean, the Dutch Antilles of St Maarten and the fjords of Narsarsuaq.

FlairJet formally accepted the aircraft from Embraer in Sao Jose dos Campos following the certification of airworthiness issued by the UK CAA. The delivery was completed in two stages with the Phenom 100 originally leaving Embraer's Brazilian facility for delivery to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stops were made at Brasilia, Belem, French Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Maarten, and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos. Following a brief stop at NBAA in Orlando, the aircraft continued on to the UK. Total 'delivery' flying mileage was 7,730 nm.

Fletcher has effectively swopped the left-hand seat of a Monarch Airlines' Airbus A320 to concentrate fully on running FlairJet. "In many ways the Phenom is similar to the A320 with its intelligent flight management system and ease of operation, but it is much more fun to fly," he says.

FlairJet, he adds, will focus on easy to reach cities in mainland Europe, domestic UK routes and also Scotland and Ireland.