The fleet of Austria's Welcome Air Group, which includes the subsidiary Tyrol Air Ambulance, has expanded to include two Dornier 328 jets as well as two Dornier 328 props and Citation V and Citation Bravo ambulances. "After so many difficult years, 30 seaters will have a growing market again," predicts Jakob Ringler, ceo, Welcome Air and Tyrol Air Ambulance.

He adds: "The high speed of the Dorniers is essential for all types of our work. The new Dornier 328 jet is for multi-purpose use. It will be used for passenger flights, business charters and ambulance flights." The aircraft joins a fleet that is a mix of new and preowned. "Our next aircraft will be preowned but our fleet is very young and our acquisitions focus on modern aircraft," says Ringler.

Welcome Air, independently-owned by joint mds Irene and Jakob Ringler, was established in 1999 and is focused primarily on charter and scheduled business flights and ambulance operations. Jakob Ringler says: "Only a small portion of our business consists of leisure flights. Our regional network connects Innsbruck with Graz, Hanover, Gothenburg, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Nice, Olbia and, starting in December, Weeze."

Nearly all staff are recruited in western Austria and trained within the company. Ringler says: "We have an extremely low fluctuation of staff numbers and a high proportion of long-serving pilots, engineers and other staff." Yearly aircraft utilisation ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 hours depending on type but Ringler expects a growth in regional demand for modern and comfortable aircraft.

The 328 jet, formally handed over by 328 Support Services, was the first all new aircraft to be completed at the Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, facility in four years. Configured with 31 all-leather seats plus a baggage bay access door, it was originally intended for delivery to Hainan Airlines of China. 328 Support Services has already worked on the aircraft for three months but in November it will return to have long range fuel tanks fitted and the interior modified to feature six quick change vip seats. There will be a medevac option enabling the 328 to hold up to five stretchers. The jet purchase has been financed by the Rotorjet Group of Italy and it will also be used for Welcome Air's partner companies in Italy and Switzerland - JetLife for ambulance flights and JetCom for business charters.

"The 328 Jet is extremely versatile, rugged and just perfect for the various flying activities we perform," says Ringler. "Its cabin is generous and there really isn't another aircraft on the market today that is on a par when it comes to affordable operating costs too." Tyrol Air Ambulance, a leading air ambulance for more than 30 years, has transported 39,000 injured passengers home from around the world.