An aircraft charter firm based at Norwich International Airport has added a new jet to its fleet as it prepares to move into a large new building incorporating a hangar, offices and VIP passenger lounge.

SaxonAir's second Citation Mustang will be jointly operated with Surrey-based Catreus Ltd from Thessaloniki International Airport in Greece.

The jet aircraft is privately owned, but managed by SaxonAir and chartered to third parties when not needed.

The company provides pilots, operational support and maintenance for the owner and splits with them the profit brought in from chartering to others.

SaxonAir operates one other jet from Norwich on the same basis, but also owns three jets and two helicopters outright.

Christopher Mace, managing director, said that the new aircraft would open up the chance to attract business in southern Europe and be capable of flying as far as north Africa or Malta.

'We do get a reasonable number of requests down that way,' he said.

'Quite often our aircraft will fly down to Italy or Greece.

'We've always found there's quite a lot of interest down in those locations when they're down there.

'Our existing Citation Mustang Jet has proved to be a popular choice within the European charter market. We are delighted to be able to offer the same, cost effective and personal service to new customers from a new operating base.'

Although charter requests come from all over Europe, customers from Norfolk and Suffolk still make up 20pc of turnover for SaxonAir.

In the year ending in March the company saw turnover of �2.7m, which was up �1m on the previous 12 months, and the company hopes to make a similar increase this year to reach �3.7m.

It will also move into its new multi-million pound Business Aviation Centre headquarters at Norwich International Airport this weekend.

The building includes new hangars for aircraft and offices for its 15 full time staff and around 10 freelance pilots, but also a VIP lounge for passengers and conference facilities.

The airport also gave the firm a 10-year contract last year to provide ground handling services for any private aircraft landing there.