Two U.K. charter operators, who have both launched operations at Hawarden airfield, Chester, are well placed to refer business to each other. Their launches also reflect fast developing opportunities for charter services in the north west of England for fixed wing and rotary services.

Both Cheshire Helicopters and Ultimate Jets Europe plan to expand their fleets. Will Banks, chief pilot of Cheshire Helicopters, which started operating in February, says: "Business prospects are good and we have a strategy for further growth in place."

He adds: "Hawarden is ideally located for all parts of the U.K. Our parent company is based in the area and still requires access to the aircraft. So these factors, coupled with an excellent FBO and general aviation facility, means we have a great base from which to operate."

Banks, whose background is military rotary followed by eight years with a charter airline on the 757, has established a property company that specialises in barn conversions and new build houses.

"Over the last few years, I have seen helicopter use grow as a realistic form of transport around the country, and felt that now was the right time to be offering the right service to a region of the U.K. that can no longer be regarded as a poorer brother to London and the south east."

Jonathan Gill, operations manager of Ultimate Jets Europe, which also started operations in February after formation last October, says: "I feel that the industry is in excellent shape at the moment with plenty of potential for growth in all sectors. We hope to significantly increase the charter side of our business with the addition of more managed aircraft."

He adds: "We see, like the whole of the industry, steady growth.

We have been very satisfied with the interest and bookings we have had in the aircraft so far.

We would obviously, with the addition of new aircraft and crews, like to see the charter and management business increase. We are, in fact, in talks with several interested parties about management of new aircraft including the CJ3 and Citation XLS+."

Cheshire Helicopters has just started up but is already planning to expand.

Will Banks says it is seeking to acquire an A109C or Bell 222B, to add to its AS355F1 which is equipped with modern IFR equipment.

He adds: "The AS355F1 has been deliberately placed at Hawarden to provide a higher profile on the arrival of an AOC-backed twin engine helicopter operator in the north west of England."

The AS355 was chosen for its versatility. "It is a well known IFR twin helicopter, that can be utilised in so many roles, so allowing the company to quote for all types of work. For most vip charter work, it is also a cost effective reliable platform."

The addition of an A109 or B222 would enable the company to cover longer range vip missions with increased cabin size and comfort. "This type of acquisition will allow us to cover a large proportion of customer requirements," Banks points out. "I can see us having a busy flying programme for both the aircraft over the main summer charter season. The key will be in securing a good working relationship with regular clients that require our services to complement their businesses as well as pleasure requirements."

Cheshire Helicopters intends initially to consolidate its business but Banks says: "If demand continues to grow, then the ideal situation would be to upgrade our F series AS355 to an N series, increasing flexibility further. "As a new business, formed only at the beginning of this year, we have started with pre-owned aircraft."

Client bases were built by sub-chartering work into the area. "This enabled us to start to build a reputation of making aircraft available to people without needing to do the shopping around themselves. This built confidence, and now we can offer an aircraft with the same level of professionalism and aircraft quality, at a reduced cost by positioning aircraft closer to our clients," Banks adds. "Initial interest means that we will be looking for another pilot to join the team within the next few months."

Skiers and long distance travellers are providing important growing business for Ultimate Jets Europe. Operations manager Jonathan Gill says its Citation 550 Bravo is being kept busy meeting growing demand for ad hoc charter.

"We are finding demand for a lot of longer routes to mainland Europe from as far north as Finland to as far south as Spain, Italy and Malta," Gill says. "We are experiencing demand for a wide variety of business and leisure travel. In our first month we found massive demand for ski destinations such as Chambery and Innsbruck.

"Looking forward to future bookings we have a great number of trips to Spain, Italy and the South of France combined with trips to many of Europe's capitals."

Gill says the Bravo is a good all round aircraft. "We like the cabin size, ease of maintenance, excellent range, and the good performance characteristics. The recently gained approval to fly into London City aiport was a big plus."

He says the aircraft is configured for seven – a club four, a seat at the front and two adjacent. "It has proved a good layout for our purposes."