Eastern Airways has taken delivery of an Embraer 135 and signed a lease agreement for a second which will increase its fleet of aircraft to 30.

Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways' coo, says: "The Embraers will be assigned to the charter flying programme serving blue chip companies, corporations and individual groups across the UK and mainland Europe. They complement our fleet and give us tremendous flexibility as we can now offer 29, 37 and 50-seat aircraft to the private charter market. We will also be able to adjust capacity to meet demand on scheduled services as and when required."

He adds: "We have operated Embraers in the past and the time is now right to reintroduce this fast 37-seater to fill a gap primarily in the charter market serving central and eastern Europe."

Eastern Airways also operates eight Saab 2000s and 20 Jetstream 41 aircraft.