London, England, 17 May 2005 - London Executive Aviation’s strengths in aircraft management have been underlined with the addition of a fourth Citation Excel to its expanding fleet. The new aircraft, which comes into service this month, has been acquired for an existing client who has affirmed his commitment to LEA by upgrading to a larger model. The company has thereby extended its lead as the UK’s top Excel charter operator.

“This latest acquisition is a case study for LEA’s skills in aircraft management”, says managing director George Galanopolous. “Over the past four years our client has been impressed with our service and ability to generate high levels of charter business. We were therefore entrusted with the sourcing and management of a replacement for his Citation II.”

After advising on manufacturer and model, LEA undertook a global search for the ideal aircraft. A suitable two year-old Excel was eventually identified in San Antonio, USA, and LEA negotiated excellent terms for its purchase. The company despatched its chief engineer to personally supervise a pre-purchase inspection and in-depth survey, prior to handling all arrangements for export, import and UK certification.

The new aircraft will be based at Luton where it will be available for general charter. Meanwhile, the client’s Citation II has been absorbed into the LEA fleet to help meet increasing charter demand, which LEA has seen rise by 15 percent since January.

A further expansion of the fleet is anticipated later this year, as another client owner has asked LEA to evaluate a large cabin jet for acquisition.

As well as expanding its fleet LEA is adapting its deployment in response to changing customer requirements. For example, the company is to base one of its Excels permanently at Farnborough, where the company is experiencing a substantial increase in traffic.

“These latest developments are possible because of LEA’s consistent profitability since our launch in 1996”, says Galanopolous. “Key to this is our strategy of offering first rate service, honouring our price commitments and upholding rigorous safety standards. Too often we’ve seen other operators go bust by trying to offer a cost-based service. Anyone can sell ten pound notes for nine pounds, but that’s hardly a recipe for success.”

For further information:

Marc Cornelius
80:20 PR
Tel: +44 870 766 7630
mcornelius@8020pr.com

Notes to Editors
London Executive Aviation (LEA) is one of the UK’s leading executive jet charter operators and management companies. It operates the largest diverse fleet of executive aircraft in the UK and the largest fleet of Citation Excels, Europe’s top new mid size corporate jet. LEA is the only executive aviation company with a full base at London City airport. Its clients include investment banks and other financial institutions, large and mid-size businesses, leading air brokers and celebrities from music, entertainment and sport.

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