London, England, September 15, 2008 – London Executive Aviation’s standing as one of the UK’s foremost Cessna Citation Excel operators has been affirmed with the addition of a further Cessna Citation Excel to its AOC (Air Operator Certificate). LEA sourced the new aircraft, G-XLGB, from another operator, acting on behalf of a long-standing charter customer who has made the step up to full aircraft ownership. LEA, one of Europe’s largest private jet charter operators, is to provide full aircraft management services for the jet, which is available for immediate charter from its new base at Stansted.
G-XLGB is configured to carry up to nine passengers, has a maximum range of 1,800 nautical miles and a top speed of 480 mph, making it an ideal aircraft for European business and leisure travel.
LEA advised and represented the owner throughout the acquisition process. The company is one of Europe’s most experienced Excel operators, having pioneered the type’s introduction into the UK charter market in 2001. G-XLGB joins three other Excels presently operated by LEA.
“The Citation Excel is an excellent choice for an owner because it is so well regarded in the charter market,” says LEA managing director George Galanopoulos. “It offers an exceptional combination of performance, dependability and value, meaning it is sure to be in demand.”
The Citation Excels form a mainstay of the LEA fleet, operating between the company’s entry level Citation Mustangs and larger cabin Bombardier Challenger 300s and Embraer Legacy 600s.
“The Excel’s success owes much to its versatility,” says Galanopoulos. “Groups who need something larger than a Mustang are excellently served in an Excel, but at a price that still represents very good value. Meanwhile, customers who typically use large cabin aircraft are also very much at home should they want to downsize for a particular journey.”
“This is an excellent time to purchase a used private aircraft, as prices have softened significantly in recent months,” he continues. “We would advise anyone contemplating a purchase to act now, because the savings you make on a lower purchase price will materially reduce your total ownership costs in subsequent years.”
The owner of G-XLGB is the latest LEA charter customer to entrust the company with the management of their first aircraft. “We are particularly pleased when a charter customer approaches us to source and manage an aircraft,” says Galanopoulos. “Being trusted in this way means we have met or exceeded their expectations over the long term, proving that we have the attentiveness, professionalism and consistency necessary for effective aircraft management.”
High resolution photos of LEA’s latest Citation Excel are available upon request from 80:20 Communications.
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London Executive Aviation is one of Europe’s largest executive aircraft charter operators and was named Best General Aviation Operator in the Baltic Air Charter Association’s 2007 and 2006 Excellence Awards. The company operates the largest diverse fleet of executive aircraft in the UK. LEA is the only executive aviation company with a full base at London City airport; it operates five further bases around London. LEA is owned by its management and has maintained a record of unbroken profitability since it was founded in 1996. More information can be found by telephoning LEA on +44 (0)1708 688420 or visiting www.flylea.com.
