Steve Grimes, who has joined the London-based Ocean Sky as group investment director following 10 years as ceo at Harrods Aviation, says the decision to rapidly grow a European network from the current two FBOs anticipates "considerable" growth in demand. "We're working to develop a chain of FBOs, including a number of maintenance facilities."

Ocean Sky, which currently has FBOs at Manchester and at Prestwick in Scotland, says developments at future locations will "depend on opportunities." But Grimes says possible locations include London, Paris, Nice, Milan, Zurich, Geneva and Moscow.

"We want to invest in places where there is already significant demand for business aviation. We don't think it makes sense to go into places with just a few flights. It has to be proximity to large cities that guides our thinking," he adds.

Grimes, who has spent more than 30 years in the aviation industry after beginning his career as a British Airways management trainee, sees no signs of a contraction in the private jet market, despite the turbulence hitting the wider economy, only evidence that those who use such aircraft want better facilities and more airports to use. "Business aviation at our level is not as affected by the credit crunch as commercial and passenger aviation. It's sheltered, to some extent. Our view is that going through the wider downturn there will be considerable growth from 2010. You only have to look at airport activity to see that they're very, very busy with private jet travel. Of course, we're entering a competitive market with our FBO intentions, but we believe there is a need for higher quality service at a number of the locations that people visit, a one-stop shop for customers to look after all their needs."

Ocean Sky has bought Dean Aircraft Interiors, the repair and interior refitting specialist based at Manchester airport. The price has not been disclosed. Current clients of Dean Aircraft Interiors include the major charter carriers First Choice, Thomas Cook and MyTravel, as well as private jet owners. Dean Aircraft Interiors has been used to refurbish and repair the interiors of the Ocean Sky fleet of owned and managed aircraft for a number of years.