UK helicopter charter operator PremiAir is expanding into fixed wing aircraft management. "Our first managed aircraft, a Premier 1 owned by the von Essen Group, is proving to be popular for European charter flights," says group md David McRobert. "This move is in response to clients asking us about managing their business aircraft, coupled with the fact that the market is starting to pick up after a tough six months. We are at the right stage in our development to broaden our offering and expertise."

PremiAir Global, the company's sales and brokerage arm based at Farnborough Airport, currently has a portfolio of 30 aircraft - fixed wing and helicopters. "Now we are adding a fixed wing aircraft management service under the PremiAir brand we can offer a full turnkey package," says McRobert.

Neil Gibson, head of charter and management, says he expects other management contracts to follow the Premier 1 which is now based at Oxford.

He also reports strong bookings for its AS355 and S-76 shuttle service to Farnborough International Airshow from the London Heliport. Gibson adds: "US executives who are particularly savvy about the use of their time when visiting these large corporate events are among those booking for the week of 19 to 25 July. They have no desire to waste time stuck in traffic on the M3 or M25, both of which get hopelessly congested during airshow week."