Eclipse 500 стал одним из первых сверхлегких реактивных бизнес-джетов. Финансовые сложности привели к прекращению серийного производства самолетов.
With the advent of very light jets, air taxi companies have recognized their potential and several have ordered them in large numbers. One of the leading contenders in the market is the Eclipse 500 for which more than 2,600 orders have been placed.

Airtaxi operations even found favour in the Eastern Bloc. One of the early types used for this purpose was the Czechoslovakian-built LET 200 Morava.

Air taxi operations are also on the increase in Russia, with the Myasischev M-101T being used by the Dexter company. Its fleet comprises eight of these aircraft, and it has plans to buy another 37 as well as Pilatus PC-12s.

A relatively recent entrant to the VLJ marketplace is Embraer with the Phenom 100 and 300. The first of these aircraft, the Phenom 100, first flew in September this year and has secured orders from air taxi companies Magnum Air and Jetbird.

Despite the enthusiasm for VLJs, turboprop aircraft still have an important role with numerous air taxi companies. In this case, by being fitted with floats they are able to operate from locations that a jet could not. Pictured is a Cessna 208 Caravan 1 of Loch Lomond Seaplanes, which is about to touch down on the River Clyde in the heart of Glasgow. This company is taking advantage of the amphibious capabilities of the aircraft and has launched a scheduled service from Glasgow to Oban.

One of the first aircraft to succeed in the air taxi role was the Cessna 310. This five-seater first flew in 1953 and over 5,000 were produced.