Jota Aviation of London Southend airport has invested in an Avro RJ85 from asset management company Falko Regional Aircraft. The aircraft formerly belonged to Brussels Airlines and will join Jota's current BAe 146-200 and King Air turboprop fleet. The operator plans to add between 12 and 15 flight crew, pilots and cabin attendants, which will bolster its workforce to 50.

The latest aircraft will be re-registered as G-JOTR and reconfigured into a 95-seat layout once it has completed a C Check with Avalon Aero at Cranfield. Entry into commercial service is expected in March and the jet has been fitted with enhanced avionics, including TCAS 7.1 and PRNav, enabling operations at Amsterdam Schiphol and other European hubs. The RJ85 also has a 1,400 nm, four-hour range covering the Mediterranean plus the Greek Islands, and is approved for London City operations.

“We are very pleased to have agreed terms with Falko on this aircraft,” says MD Andy Green. “We have built up a good working relationship over the past 18 months, with the acquisition of this RJ85 being the headline transaction. This jet is low time in terms of airframe cycles and it is the right time for us to expand our charter and ACMI. With 12 months under our belt flying the BAe 146, we are confident about accepting a second jet.”

Commercial manager Mike Sessions states that Jota will be targeting brokers for group charters, conference and incentive work, and will look to regional operators for sub contract and ACMI. Group CEO Simon Dolan has called the acquisition a 'milestone' day: “The team has taken the business from very humble beginnings six years ago to a significant and reputable charter company,” he remarks. “It is testament to the relentless push for first class customer service that has been in our DNA since day one. There is a lot of consolidation in the air charter business, but we are sticking to our niche in a sector we have come to know well. Being independent and nimble means we can respond quickly to opportunities.”

The company also intends to establish its own Part 145 for maintenance on the BAe/Avro family at its base at London Southend.