The world's only corporate aircraft alliance AirClub announced at the show this morning that London Executive Aviation (LEA) has become the first UK-based member and the ninth associate of the pan-European charter grouping.

AirClub was launched in late 2012, bringing together eight operators including Air Alsie, of Denmark, Spain's Corporatejets and Switzerland's PrivatAir, plus a combined fleet of more than 110 aircraft, ranging from the Beechcraft King Air to the Boeing 767.

AirClub says the group is designed to "provide the strength, purchasing power and expertise of some of Europe's leading players within the industry to provide clients with premium service, top aircraft availability and flexibility, as well as the highest possible standard of safety and comfort".

LEA chief executive Patrick Margetson-Rushmore says of the membership: "Our diverse range of aircraft, from the Cessna Citation Mustang and Embraer Phenom 300, to the Legacy 650 and Falcon 2000LX, perfectly complements the AirClub fleet, and will help to ensure that we can collectively serve the needs of every business aviation client."

Christian Hatje, PrivatAir senior vice-president business aviation and chairman of AirClub, adds: "As a premium player in the industry and a well respected operator in the UK, LEA not only shares the AirClub values, but its great fleet is the perfect supplement for AirClub."

He adds that with the addition of LEA, the grouping "can offer the largest variety of aircraft types in Europe", with a combined fleet of 140 business jets and turboprops.

Source: Flight Daily News