Business aviation in brief: 8 May 2007

HANGAR OPENS

Jet Aviation has opened a hangar extension at its maintenance and completion centre in Basle, Switzerland. The building can accommodate widebody aircraft up to the size of an Airbus A330 or Boeing 767 and brings the total hangar space on the site to 23,000m² (247,300ft²). The next phase of expansion at Basle, scheduled for completion next year, calls for 35,000m² of extra space including a new hangar of 9,500m² to accommodate an A380 and a Boeing 747-8 as well as extra shop and ramp space.

AIRSHARES MOVE

US fractional operator AirShares Elite has launched its first West Coast operation in Los Angeles. The Cirrus SR22 light single-based programme has selected John Wayne Orange County, Santa Monica, and Van Nuys airports to launch the expansion.

MANX FIRST

The Isle of Man is planning to add seven business jets and helicopters to its new aircraft registry by the end of June as the take-up rate heats up. The registry was launched on 1 May with two local businessmen the first to register their Cessna Citation CJ3 and XLS business jets.

G200 MILESTONE

Gulfstream has delivered the 150th G200 super mid-size business jet. The aircraft, originally built by Israel Aircraft Industries and supported by Galaxy Aerospace, entered service in 1999 as the Galaxy business jet. Gulfstream parent General Dynamics acquired Galaxy two years later and Gulfstream set to work on improvements, including a redesigned interior and a 270kg (600lb) weight reduction.

Source: Flight International