A luxuriously appointed Optare Soroco Plus minicoach is providing high quality transport for VIP and corporate clients of Stobart Air Limited – a new venture within the Carlisle-based Eddie Stobart transport group.

The Soroco is being used for transfers to Lake District hotels and business locations across Cumbria of parties arriving at Carlisle Airport in private aircraft. The airport was acquired in April last year by WA Developments International Limited, which is the parent company of the Eddie Stobart group. The company has ambitious plans to develop the airport’s private and scheduled passenger business along with its air freight operations.

“We are currently enjoying considerable growth in the corporate and VIP travel market,” says Alison Schmutz, Aviation Co-ordinator for Stobart Air. “Our clients require a high quality, seamless service from the point of touch down to arrival at their hotel or business premises. The new Optare Soroco is a key link in the chain, providing luxurious transportation in a relaxing environment and one in which business discussions can be continued in comfort.”

Although normally a 19 to 22-seater, the Air Stobart vehicle has been configured to carry just 12 passengers. Each is seated at a table in a comfortable Fainsa Gaudi Super high-back reclining seat with three-point seat belt and aisle armrest. There is a small cloakroom at the rear along with a drinks servery and two DVD players with 15-inch monitors can provide entertainment or information when on the move.

Tinted, double-glazed side windows with full-draw curtains help to ensure privacy for the passengers as well as reducing internal noise levels to a minimum. Extensive use of soft trim in the roof and side panel linings, centre aisle carpeting, and a walnut-effect dashboard all contribute to a sense of calm and comfort inside the saloon.

“The coach also looks very stylish, which helps to maintain that all-important quality image that Stobart Air is aiming to project,” says Alison Schmutz. “We had it painted by Optare in an attractive metallic paint and with the application of our new Stobart Air decals it looks very eye-catching yet discreet.

“Our drivers have taken to it very well. The compact size, especially the width of just 2.3 metres, makes it ideally suited to the narrow roads of the Lake District and this also comes in useful where access to premises is restricted. At 156 horsepower, it’s got plenty of power to cope easily with the local hilly terrain.

“I’m hoping that the new Beatrix Potter film – Miss Potter – will create even more interest in this beautiful part of the world. As a result we can expect to see increased traffic into the airport and more people enjoying the local scenery from the comfort of this superb Soroco minicoach.

“We’ve also decided to give our new Soroco a name, in the way that each of Stobart’s 800 trucks has a name. In our case what could be more appropriate than Beatrix, in honour of the world famous Cumbrian author!”

For further information please contact:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor, +44 (0) 207 494 8050