Plans for £1m centre at airport

An artist's impression of the plans for SaxonAir's new hangar

Plans to build a £1m hangar and business aviation centre at Norwich Airport have been unveiled.

Private jet hire firm SaxonAir, whose clients have included rock stars Meat Loaf and Blondie, proposed the plans.

The new business aviation centre will include first-class facilities for passengers and flight crew, meeting the rising demand for private jet travel.

SaxonAir, which was founded in 2007, currently owns two Beechcraft King Air 200 executive turbo prop aircraft.

One is based at Norwich, the other at East Midlands Airport.

It recently announced an order for a $3m (£1.7m) five-seat Embraer Phenom 100 business jet, due for delivery by May 2010.

SaxonAir operations director and pilot Chris Mace said: "The extra delays and inconvenience of regular airline flying nowadays means private charters are on the increase.

"More people have moved to Norfolk or have holiday homes here, and people value their time much more, for business and leisure.

"We take security seriously and nothing can be safer than sitting on the aircraft with only family, friends or work colleagues around you."