The Private Jet Company, which is building a new "island gateway" business aviation facility at Isle of Man airport, also plans to expand its managed fleet. Caly Roberts, company director, says: "Two new CJ3s are being delivered in 2011. We have several prospective buyers in the pre-owned market. Aircraft already in our managed fleet include a Sovereign, an XLS and a CJ3."

She adds: "General prospects are extremely promising - we will inevitably expand with the extra facilities our new project will provide. Not only will we be able to provide a first class handling service to visiting executive aircraft, we will be able to increase our sales, aircraft management, hangarage and registration and importation services."

The Department of Infrastructure, Roberts says, has cleared the project for take off and work on a dedicated new jet centre is being progressed. "The jet centre will enable the company to further extend its growing menu of services and complement those already offered by the island's increasingly sophisticated business community," Roberts adds.

Capt Tony Corlett, md, says: "The jet centre will represent a quantum leap in terms of the Isle of Man airport experience. It will be an elegant, modern building, with an impressive entrance and executive ancillary accommodation. The Private Jet Company will organise security and operational clearance for executives or private individuals, meaning no lengthy queues or delays on departure and on arrival one can discreetly step straight into a waiting car without delay."

Roberts says clients including high net worth individuals will appreciate meet and greet areas and a complimentary board room. "We will be able to offer a deluxe facility dedicated to executives and their aircraft. For the business community the jet centre will become a focal point to meet clients in privacy and comfort. We all know first impressions count."

The jet centre will be separate from the main airport complex but offer ample on-the-spot parking. "It will mean that clients can arrive just ten minutes before they are scheduled to fly, having had the necessary security clearances carried out by us in advance on their behalf," explains Corlett. "An hour later we could be touching down in Paris or in just six hours in New York."

The company provides one- stop-shop services ranging across sourcing and purchasing, impor-tation, registration, management, operations and crewing, hangarage and maintenance.

Corlett says: "The project will take the island to a new level in terms of its international reputation. It will encourage high net worth individuals and executives of industry to move to the island."

Airport director Ann Reynolds says: "We are optimistic that the first phase of construction will commence before the end of 2010."

Key features and services will include vip lounge, main reception offices, dedicated 24-7 handling team and security administration, business conference facilities, crew lounge, 2,000 sq m hangarage space, 2,000 sq m apron area, customs and immigration clearance, computerised flight planning and filing and wireless internet access in all areas.

Caly Roberts says: "The jet centre will be used as a business tool. Those living on the island have no direct flights to many business destinations including Brussels, Zurich and Geneva, so our clients will save considerable time by flying to these destinations direct and returning the same day."

She expects demand for managed aircraft to rise. "We go through a fact finding exercise with our clients to obtain the best aircraft for their mission. It is very important that their aircraft has a comfortable cabin, sufficient range to ensure a fuel stop is not necessary and that it will carry the required amount of passengers over the distances required. We are constantly sourcing aircraft for our clients whether they are new or pre-owned. It is an excellent time to get a good price for an aircraft purchase and after a couple of quiet years following the credit crunch we believe this area of the business is due to take off."

The managed fleet are all aircraft bought from new. Roberts says: "We typically purchase a new aircraft and operate for two years and then continue the process. In our experience this process dramatically reduces the operating costs as the aircraft are under full warranty."