Geneva-based Sonnig will bring a Falcon 7X into service in 2011 to meet demand globally and in Europe. Proprietor and former ice hockey star Riccardo Mortara says the Falcon 7X's addition to a fleet that already offers a Citation V, a Citation Ultra, a Sabreliner 65, a Hawker 1000, a Challenger 601 and a Challenger 604 will be timely.

"The industry has a couple of unpredictable years ahead, where we must adapt to a constantly changing environment and carefully manage our assets," Mortara says. "This demands that business is handled tactically rather than strategically. The 7X will be deployed worldwide and will help us consolidate our business. We have a very loyal European customer-base at Sonnig which chooses to travel with us because we suit both their leisure and business needs."

Sonnig, established in 1964, chose the 7X because of its range and cabin size, he adds. Mortara, who used to play ice hockey for Italy, raced a works Volvo in the World Rally Champion-ship in the 1970s and now supports his son, Edoardo Mortara, who races in the Formula One feeder series GP2 and who won the Macau Grand Prix last November.