Aircraft management and charter operator Centreline Air Charter has received an additional Citation 525 into its fleet, making it one of the largest operators of the type in the UK.

Centreline, part of the Bristol Flying Centre Group based at Bristol airport, took over management of the aircraft at the beginning of April bringing the total number of aircraft in its fleet to five, which are based at Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Biggin Hill and Dunsfold.

BFC Group ceo Phil Brockwell says: “Now that Centreline Air Charter has become such a large operator of the CJ 525 it sends a clear message to owners, passengers and brokers that we are the experts in flying, maintaining and handling this aircraft. We are examining the potential to add similar performance aircraft types as well as midsize aircraft to our fleet. We expect to add two or three aircraft during this year, with at least one based in mainland Europe, and we are in discussion with six potential aircraft purchasers, which is the highest level of interest we have seen for a number of years.''

Established in 1991, Centreline Air Charter has a long association with the Citation 525 and has been operating the aircraft for over seven years.

The relationship has been strengthened by BFC's engineering facility at Bristol airport which has been qualified to offer full maintenance support for the Cessna product for many years and is an established Approved Training Organisation authorised by the CAA and EASA to train pilots across Europe and ICAO membership states.

This qualification means that all Centreline crew can be trained in-house to reduce costs and can operate any of the aircraft in the fleet.