Norwich, UK-based business aviation services provider SaxonAir's recent campaign to promote aircraft chartering to the UK business community seems to have paid off, following a record increase in fixed-wing and helicopter charter activity in the first six months of the year.

Charter hours across its five-strong, fixed-wing fleet climbed by over 65% between January and June compared with the same period last year. Helicopter charter hours on its Eurocopter EC120 and EC135 climbed by 41% during the same period.

"Air charter is not necessarily about living a luxury lifestyle, being served champagne and caviar on-board" says Saxonair commercial director Christopher Mace. "The majority of our clients are in fact businesses who appreciate that air charter enables them to make the very best use of their time with pre-cleared check-ins, the ability to undertake work on board in private and secure surroundings, as well as landing at private airports closer to their destination not served by the airlines."

Six-year-old SaxonAir also has bases in London, Cannes and Thessaloniki in Greece.

Source: Flight International