Jota Aviation in the UK is celebrating the arrival of its first jet aircraft. The London Southend airport-based company has added the British Aerospace 146-200 regional jet to its charter fleet, having formally been awarded an A-licensed AOC for the type by the UK CAA last month.

Jota is now offering the aircraft, which features a refurbished interior with 95 leather seats, to scheduled airlines, inclusive tour companies and corporates as well as air charter brokers looking for capacity for music and sports group work, conference and incentive flights and other ad hoc activity.

Commercial manager Mike Sessions is now working to place the aircraft into the charter market. “We have already had a lot of interest,” he notes, highlighting the 146's range of over 1,400 nm, its generous cabin and rugged, short field operating characteristics. “These features make it ideal for popular European leisure and business destinations.

“It has been configured so that the centre seat of each treble seat row can turn into a table. In readiness for revenue service, 15 flight and cabin crew plus several administration personnel have been recruited.”

The BAe 146 is certified for London City airport and joins Jota's growing charter fleet of King Airs. A B200, the fourth King Air for Jota, was also added to the fleet in recent weeks. This eight-passenger B200 twin prop is appointed with a luxury interior and configured in a four-seat club arrangement. The aircraft has a range of 1,600 nm and the capability to land on very short runways, making it well suited to short trips in Europe or for reaching remote locations.

Jota is the largest operator of the King Air 90 family in Europe, with aircraft deployed on cargo and passenger flights from London Southend, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford airports.