Heron Aviation, a new German charter company launched with a Learjet 60, says it is working on several aircraft management contracts.

"We see big potential in our region, which is the area around Lake Constance which borders the three countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland," the company says. "Our CAMO office is based in the vicinity of Frankfurt so Heron is close to potential clients located in Germany's financial centre."

Heron Aviation says that the launch of the company, by aviation specialists with a combined 75 years in the industry, is timely. "The demand for charter has been rising over the last 10 month. The rate is not as fast as it has been in the past but we see a sector with good growth potential and we want to be a part of it." Heron Aviation says that it will focus on being an aircraft management company. "We have no intention of becoming an aircraft owner," it says. "The company wants to expand steadily through controlled growth."

Heron Aviation was launched late in 2009 and obtained its AOC in mid-July this year.