Germany's FAI rent-a-jet AG has started building new solar-powered facilities after reporting record income. Consolidated total revenue for the fiscal year of 2009 reached e38 million including e6 million from FAI's Swiss subsidiary Nomad Aviation. The company says this reflects an increase of 45 per cent compared to e27 million in 2008. It adds: "For 2010 FAI is expecting revenues of close to e50 million which would be a further increase of 30 per cent."

The company says work is progressing fast on FAI's new hangar and office building which includes a 100 kwp rooftop solar power plant designed to ensure carbon neutral ground operations.

FAI currently operates 13 Learjets - two 35As, seven 55s and four 60s - and one DA900. Six of these aircraft are operating under NGO contracts in Africa and Haiti. Nomad's fleet has been expanded to five - three Challenger 604s, a Legacy and Citation Jet.