FLEDGLING executive jet operator Club328 has sealed a deal with electronics giant Philips semiconductors for two flights a week to its Dutch base.

Philips employs 510 staff in a facility in Millbrook, Southampton, but found business was hampered by the lack of a local flight to its Eindhoven base.

With up to 20 staff travelling regularly to the Netherlands each week, it made economic sense for the consumer electronics group to take advantage of Club328's private jets.

After signing a contract until the end of the year, Philips now gets to determine the times it wants flights to depart and arrive and enjoys quick check-in times.

Club328 was launched in a blaze of publicity with model Jodie Kidd, right, at Southampton airport last week.

It requires members to pay in 328 euros to a Swiss bank account, which are then translated into points which can be spent on a range of exclusive services, including private jet travel. Other services on offer from Club328, in which has bases in the south of France and Geneva, Switzerland, include use of jets, yachts, and fast cars at preferential rates.

Philips is set to be just the first of many companies to sign up, says Club328 Sales Manager Dave Oddy.

"We see increased opportunities from companies in the Hampshire region who want to be able to do business in more than one European city in a day, but find typical airline schedules restrictive. Furthermore, with the arrival of our new, comfortable 15-seat AvCraft Dornier Jets from next week, we will be offering something completely new in the executive jet marketplace," he said.