German charter operator Cirrus Aviation is to operate Eclipse 500s on behalf of UK-based group JetSet Air, which ordered up to 50 of the new very light jets last November. JetSet Air managing director David Bond also announced yesterday that he has begun negotiations with Embraer for the purchase of up to 10 Phenom 100 VLJs for delivery by 2009. The first two Eclipse 500s will arrive in spring 2007.

Bond announced the intention of JetSet to be “the EasyJet of business aviation.” The idea is to offer scheduled but flexible services between large European centers at business-class fares. In addition, links to maritime holiday resorts in southern Europe and skiing resorts in the Alps are also planned. Services are expected to start in July/August 2007. JetSet tickets and reservations will be exclusively available on the Internet at www.jetsetfly. com. No membership in a club will be required, but the company does offer a discount on JetSet cards for 25, 50 or 100 hours.

According to Stefan Buschle, managing director of Cirrus Aviation, his company will be the largest European executive charter operator, with up to 65 aircraft when deliveries are completed. Cirrus Aviation is one of the subsidiaries of the Cirrus Group. The others are Cirrus Airlines, Cirrus Technik and Cirrus Flight Training.