A new 21st century business "Gateway to the Isle of Man" will start construction at the airport later this year after the Department of Infrastructure cleared the project for take off.

The ambitious scheme to create a dedicated new Jet Centre is being progressed by The Private Jet Company - aviation experts specialising in executive jet sales, operations, handling and secure hangarage.

The Private Jet Company is expected to start building work on the Jet Centre this summer which will be an impressive new business aviation centre and executive hangarage facility.

It will further enhance the Island’s reputation as a leading world offshore centre, whilst bringing tangible operational and financial benefits to both corporate and private users, the company said.

The formal agreement for the project has been signed between the company and the Department of Infrastructure.

The Private Jet Company has a wealth of aviation experience, built up over a quarter of a century, and currently operates business jets, one of which is trans-atlantic, from its base at the Isle of Man Airport.

The new Jet Centre will enable the company to further extend its growing menu of services, whilst complimenting those already offered by the Island’s increasingly sophisticated business community.

The Private Jet Company said it prides itself on its uncomplicated and friendly approach to doing business and has earned an enviable reputation for delivering services of the highest standard.

It said for visiting private/corporate aircraft The Jet Centre will represent a "quantum leap" in terms of the Isle of Man airport experience. It will be an elegant, modern building, with an impressive entrance and executive ancillary accommodation.

The Private Jet Company will organise security and operational clearance for executives or private individuals, meaning no lengthy queues or delays on departure and on arrival clients can discreetly step straight into a waiting car without delay.

For high net worth individuals and businesses the Jet Centre, with its comfortable meet and greet areas and complimentary board room facility, will be a dramatic improvement on the current arrangements at the airport, the company said.

The Private Jet Company's managing director Captain Tony Corlett said: "We will be able to offer a deluxe facility dedicated to executives and their aircraft. For the business community The Jet Centre will become a focal point to meet and greet clients in privacy and comfort.

"We all know first impressions count."

The new Jet Centre will be completely separate from the main airport complex whilst offering ample parking right outside the door.

Company director Richard Corlett said: "It will mean that clients can arrive just 10 minutes before they are scheduled to fly, having had the necessary security clearances carried out by us in advance on their behalf.

"An hour later we could be touching down in Paris, or in just six hours at New York’s JFK Airport."

The Private Jet Company has vast experience in the provision of jet aircraft management services.

The company’s holistic approach embraces all aspects of the business from sourcing and purchasing the right aircraft for clients to importation, registration, management, operations and crewing, hangarage and maintenance.

Company Director Caly Roberts believes the project will take the Island to a new level in terms of its international reputation.

She said: "There's no doubt that the presence of the new Jet Centre will project the right image and will be a factor in encouraging high net worth individuals and executives of industry to move to the Island."

Airport Director Ann Reynolds has enthusiastically welcomed the new development: "This is a really exciting time at the Isle of Man Airport and we are delighted to be working in partnership with The Private Jet Company.

"We are optimistic that the first phase of construction will commence before the end of 2010, so the Airport will be able to offer world class executive services within a relatively short period of time."

The Jet Centre will include a VIP lounge, main reception offices, dedicated handling team available 24 hours, dedicated security administration designed to give minimum delay to passengers, business conference facilities, crew lounge, 2,000 sq metres of hangarage space, 2,000 sq metres of apron area, customs and immigration clearance, computerised flight planning and filing and wireless internet access in all areas.

For further information contact Caly or Richard on 01624 825100.