Britain took delivery of more private jets than any other European country during years of economic gloom Beechcraft delivered 232 aircraft to UK customers from 2007 to 2011 This figure is up 47% on the so-called 'boom years' of 2002 to 2006 UK has Europe's second-largest registered fleet of business aircraft While many Britons still feel cash-strapped, private jets are taking off among the rich and famous. Demand from leading sport stars, bankers and other wealthy citizens has seen the UK take delivery of more new private planes than any other European country, it was revealed today. Beechcraft, which makes the King Air turboprop, said that 232 aircraft were delivered to customers in Britain between 2007 and 2011 - up 47 per cent on the so-called 'boom years' of 2002 to 2006. In flight: Beechcraft, which makes the King Air turboprop (pictured), said it has seen a rise in UK deliveries The UK now boasts the second largest registered fleet of business aircraft in Europe, with a total of 503, split between 369 jets and 134 turboprops. Germany has the biggest European fleet at 621. The research is based on Beechcraft's analysis of the latest data from JetNet, which collates information on business and commercial aircraft worldwide. Shawn Vick, president of Beechcraft International Services Company, said the demand for private aircraft in Britain was partly to London's position as a leading financial centre. He said: "The UK also has a culture of savvy entrepreneurial people who understand that the way to grow the business probably lies outside the UK and these aircraft give them rapid access to new markets." Economic troubles: The rise comes despite the problems the UK economy has faced since the end of last decade. People are pictured outside Northern Rock in Kingston Upon Thames, south-west London, in 2007 The UK's busiest airport for private planes last year was London Luton Airport in Bedfordshire. Despite the economic problems facing Europe, our research shows that it remains a big market for business aviation and it continues to grow Shawn Vick, Beechcraft It handled 12,371 such flights - about half as many the market leader Paris-Le-Bourget in France, with 24,412. Geneva Cointrin in Switzerland was second with 17,824 flights, and Nice in France third at 14,091. Mr Vick said: "Despite the economic problems facing Europe, our research shows that it remains a big market for business aviation and it continues to grow." However, Marine Egene, European sales director of NetJets, said focusing too much attention on deliveries can produce a misleading picture. Growth fluctuations: Beechcraft said that 232 aircraft were delivered to customers in Britain between 2007 and 2011 - up 47 per cent on the so-called boom years of 2002 to 2006 She said: "A lot of these aircraft will be replacements, with the deliveries the result of orders placed in 2005, 2006 and 2007. A lot of these aircraft will be replacements, with the deliveries the result of orders placed in 2005, 2006 and 2007 Marine Egene, NetJets Also, a lot of the aircraft delivered to the UK and registered there won't be flying in the UK, they'll be flying in Russia - a market that has taken off in recent years with the increasing number of Russian billionaires. Mr Vick added that it was wrong to see such planes as a boardroom perk. "Shareholders should not be complaining because you can be far more productive," he said. I've tried visiting four countries in Europe over two days on scheduled aircraft. One flight delay or cancellation and it becomes impossible. With a business aircraft, I can do it in one day. Traffic: The UK's busiest airport for private planes last year was London Luton Airport in Bedfordshire The figures show that despite the economic meltdown towards the end of the last decade, the rich still have money to spend on private aircraft to take them around the world. The credit crunch began six years ago when problems with the repayment of subprime mortgages in the U.S. triggered a tidal wave of concern about lending around the world in August 2007. British house prices began falling soon after and only stabilised in April onwards of 2009. Northern Rock ran into trouble in September 2007 and was finally nationalised in February 2008. Fears increased with the collapse of Bear Stearns in March 2008 and September then saw the collapse of Lehman Brothers. That was followed by a bank bailout and merger for Lloyds and HBOS.