London Southend-based operator Jota Aviation has introduced a low hour King Air C90 GTX to its fleet. The aircraft, built in late 2010, offers 1,300 nm range and a smart interior, configured for six seats in a club four plus two arrangement. The company previously operated the aircraft between 2011 and 2014, and its reintroduction makes it the fifth King Air on the books.

Jota has just succeeded in gaining approval to widen its AOC coverage for its entire fleet, including its BAe 146-200 jet, to include the Middle East, Africa, Iceland, Russia and the Azores. This means that it can respond to charter requests on a much wider scale.

The BAe 146-200, which joined Jota's fleet in October 2014, is now available for charter and sports 50 executive seats. Target markets will include incentive events, car launches, sports and music tours and transporting international football teams, as commercial manager Mike Sessions explains: “We are confident we will get a lot of demand for this version, especially with the 146's short runway performance. We will also offer first class hot or cold vip catering on china with appropriate glasses and metal cutlery. We have already flown a number of sports teams as well as film production teams this summer, in addition to our sub charter ACMI work.”

Jota Aviation claims to be the largest operator of the smaller King Air 90 family in Europe. Its larger King Air 200 seats up to eight passengers and it also flies a dedicated cargo aircraft with a large double cargo door which can carry in excess of 1,000 kgs. Aircraft deployed on cargo and passenger flights from London Southend airport are available for crew movements and urgent AOG spares; the King Airs are available 24/7 for passenger and freight bookings.