Aircraft broker and management company One Charter has become what is believed to be the first company in the UK to offer a Cirrus SR22 G3 light aircraft for commercial operations.
The Fairoaks, southern England-based operator plans to expand its services later this year with the addition of an Eclipse 500 very light jet.
Operations began earlier this month under the banner One Air Taxi, which is offering the SR22 for ad hoc charter within the UK, targeting business and leisure travellers.
One Air Taxi also offers a 25h block charter card for which it charges £850 ($1,600) per occupied hour. One Charter chief executive Mike Ryan says: "The granting of the air operator's certificate means that we can attract other Cirrus owners and operate their aircraft under a management contract for charter when the aircraft is not being used by the owner."
One Charter is also planning to offer a similar service for owners of Eclipse 500 VLJs. The company has one aircraft on order for delivery in 2009 and plans to expand it fleet through management contracts to more than 10 aircraft.
Ryan says: "There are 16 people with positions on Eclipse 500s in the UK and we are in serious discussions with a number of them. This will complement our Cirrus operation in the UK and expand to the European market, taking us closer to our goal of being a major player in the dawning age of European air taxi services."
Ryan says the Eclipse will bridge the gap between business class and light jet travel. "There will be no frills with this service," he adds. "It's a taxi and we plan to introduce new passengers to the benefits of business aircraft for the first time."
Source: Flight International
