A CHARTER airline which operates from Southend Airport has played a part in making the latest Bond movie.

Jota Aviation, started in 2009 to support the company’s motorsport interests, is now a fully-fledged charter airline which boasts it can get a plane into the air within an hour of being booked.

The company has a fleet of King Air aircraft which can carry eight passengers, a British Aerospace 146 which can carry 94 passengers, and a King Air freight aircraft capable of carrying up to a tonne.

A return flight from Southend to Paris costs £2,950, while hiring the 146 will set you back a cool £19,500.

Mike Sessions, commercial manager for the company at Southend Airport, said: “The company started to support Jota Sport, part of the Jota group. We won the Le Mans 24- hour in 2011 and helped to support the racing crew by flying parts around.

“Our 146 is used by sports teams or companies taking customers out for a day.

“We recently flew a rugby club outside the UK.

“We also provided film support for 11 days, taking producers and film crew all over Europe looking at possible locations for the new Bond movie, Spectre.”

Mr Sessions, 56, who lives in Southend and has worked at Southend Airport since 1977, added: “We employ 50 people, which includes 12 pilots and cabin crew on the 146.

“We do a lot of executive flights for business people and some famous people.

“Although we are based at Southend, we can pick up and bring people back anywhere.”