Birmingham-based VIP airline Cello Aviation has doubled its cabin crew numbers as part of expansion plans for 2015.

Thirteen new cabin crew were presented with their ‘wings’ in a ceremony that marks significant growth for the airline, which operates from Birmingham Airport.

The new intake doubles the size of the cabin crew team at the Birmingham-based carrier that started with just a handful of staff in 2009.

The new crew have completed their training programme and are now taking to the skies in Cello’s expanding fleet.

Following their training the new recruits will be working on Cello’s existing BAE 146 VIP charter aircraft and its 82 seat RJ 85. They will also work on a Boeing 737/400 that will be joining the Cello fleet in the spring.

“As we grow we demand more from our crew and that includes the flexibility to operate on different types of aircraft,” said cabin services manager Dean Hull.

“The expansion of Cello means that, in addition to the VIP charter operation that has established the business, we now fly more services on behalf of scheduled airlines, so it is vital that our crew can provide the highest standards of services to all our passengers, be they royalty or people going on a holiday to the sun.”

The new crew come from a range of backgrounds and while many have been recruited from the region, some come from other parts of the country.

“One of the strengths of our cabin crew team is that we have a good mix of people that bring different life and work experience to the job,” added Mr Hull.

“It has been a tough challenge getting through the training and we expect a lot of our cabin crew, but they are so vital to our success as the Cello representatives that are the face of our company to the people that matter most which are those who fly with us.”