Paul Hill, business editorAn executive jet operator at Norwich International Airport has invested �800,000 in the first of a new fleet of helicopters to offer VIP flights.Paul Hill, business editor

An executive jet operator at Norwich International Airport has invested �800,000 in the first of a new fleet of helicopters to offer VIP flights.

SaxonAir has taken delivery of a Eurocopter EC120 and has plans to buy a second.

The helicopter move comes just months after Saxonair increased its fleet of charter jets to four with the �1.84m purchase of a Cessna Citation Mustang.

Managing director Chris Mace said moving into helicopter charter was a logical step and said there would be a steady increase in the size of the firm's helicopter fleet in the next year. 'Now is a very good time to buy,' he said.

'We've taken bookings for this year already and undertaken some charter flights,' he added. 'This has come about because of requests from clients and it's about offering a complete package of private air travel service.

'The private jet is there for trips further afield and outside the UK, and the helicopter offers the ultimate VIP door-to-door travel.'

SaxonAir, which was set up in 2007, now has a workforce of eight full-time staff and five part-time employees.

Mr Mace predicted that turnover will rise from �1.5m a year to close to �2.5m in the 2009-10 financial year.

The firm was bought by acquired by businessman Roger Klyne from previous majority shareholder and entrepreneur Graeme Kalbraier in May last year for an undisclosed sum.