Client demand for a large corporate jet was identified by GainJet Aviation's management team in early 2008 and led to a major project for the Athens-based business jet operator.

The company already had the advantage of experience in operating a large airliner type for private and business travel in the form of an MD83. "Feedback from the sales team based in the UK led the management to consider a second airframe to join the growing fleet," reports ceo James McBride.

Capt Ramsey Shaban, the company president, had a comprehensive checklist. He recalls: "We were looking for a 'flagship'. It had to be a young airframe, ideally under ten years old and with low cycles. The type had to be large enough to accommodate 60-plus passengers in supreme comfort and with a substantial range". This excluded most of the more common airliners such as B737, and the smaller Airbus types as both the range and capacity were not suitable. Eventually the choice centred on the B757.

This particular airliner, McBride says, has a great reputation as being 'a real pilot's aeroplane', blessed as it is with 'excess power and excellent braking characteristics. "The combination of these qualities means that the aircraft demonstrates superb performance with the capability to operate at light weights into and out of quite short runways.

"Add to this the 180 minutes ETOPS capability, a range of nearly nine hours and the capacity for carrying approximately 10 tonnes of baggage/cargo and the result is a very versatile business jet."

GainJet's team realised they had an intensive search on their hands. Shaban recalls: "We started looking all over the world for the machine and it was not easy to find. We knew that the conversion from high density configuration would take months and we selected Air Berlin in Munich to carry out much of the work for us. We needed a quality job and they have the reputation to deliver what they promise."

A European airline was reducing its B757 fleet and GainJet managed to negotiate the purchase of a late model Rolls Royce powered, B757-200ER with low cycles. A specialist team of engineers from AirClaims was employed to make a very careful assessment of the airframe and its technical records.

A new paint scheme by Air Livery of Norwich airport was followed by the installation of winglets by Air Berlin and then the completely renewed interior featuring 78 first class luxurious reclining cream coloured leather seats. In the forward cabin, 20 of the seats are arranged club style around specially designed Hi-Lo tables and in the rear of the cabin another eight seats were given the same configuration.

A deep pile beige carpet completed the cabin fitment while the in-flight entertainment system consists of 78 high quality DVD players with noise-cancelling stereo headsets. The players are loaded with options for music, films and games. "The next phase of IFE development with the aircraft will include broadband capability with Wi-Fi so that the passengers may use internet anywhere onboard in flight," says McBride. Structurally, apart from the winglets, there has been little change to the airframe. Auxiliary fuel tanks were considered, but Shaban says: "We think that to have the benefits of a 10 tonne cargo hold is preferable and more practical. Certainly when Gainjet flew one of the biggest UK premiership football teams on its 2009 Asia Tour, the clients made full use of this facility." The aircraft, Gainjet reports, has been a great success carrying out many head of state operations to and from Africa and the Middle East. "No stranger to 'the Royal Suite' at London Heathrow, the aircraft has a rather special presence on the ramp which gives it extra appeal for vvip clients," McBride says.

Safety, security and quality are the watchwords for the crew members who operate the aircraft and access is strictly limited to protect the cabin environment. "We do not permit airport cleaners onboard, our highly qualified crew ensure the cleanliness of the cabin themselves - they do the best job!" says Shaban. The cabin crew are all highly trained to deliver top quality, 'five star' catering in-flight and he says the menus can be compared with those of the best restaurants in the world.

A busy summer for 2010 is planned for the airliner, with a major rock band tour in prospect, along with more head of state missions, some flights for a leading Formula One racing team and a special trip to the World Cup in South Africa in July. The team at GainJet also plan the fitting of a bedroom with en suite facilities during October. "The stateroom project is important for us because it will take our 757 into the next market level. There are only three or four large flying bedrooms in Europe; we intend our aircraft to be the leader in this field and first choice for our high-end clients", says Shaban. "We are so pleased with the first one, that, in fact our board of directors have already approved the purchase of a second B757 for delivery in 2010."

GainJet is adding more airliners with a B767 and a VIP B737 due to be SX-registered in the spring. It is also expanding the small to mid-cabin fleet with two Cessna Citations, two new G450s and a Challenger 604. The company's new sales office in Dubai is due to open in summer 2010.