NetJets Europe, which is taking delivery of 30 new aircraft in 2006, expects to increase its client base from 600 customers in 2005 to more than 1,300 by the end of 2006. Newly-appointed ceo William Kelly said that continental Europe was becoming increasingly important.

Kelly added: "Switzerland, France, Eastern Europe and Russia are growing fast." NetJets began 2006 with 89 jets and this year's scheduled deliveries will take the fleet total to 119.

Kelly said that 40 per cent of NetJets' market were corporate clients, up to 35 per cent were high net worth individuals seeking a business-pleasure flying mix, and the rest consisted of leisure flights. Long-haul demand was also rising with corporate customers from Europe servicing business demands in the US, Mexico and the Middle East.

One of the most successful programmes for the company in Europe was with Lufthansa, whereby NetJets provided short trips for long haul passengers who wished to move around efficiently once at their main destination.

He said that many customers saw taking out fractional ownership as being akin to an insurance policy that could be used when scheduled flights ran into problems.