Aviation firm Jet Republic has joined the Bombardier carbon offset programme in an effort to counteract the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its new fleet of Learjet 60 XR aircraft.

The aircraft will enter into service over the course of the next two years, starting in October 2009.

The programme offsets emissions produced by aircraft by multiplying the amount of CO2 emitted with an offset cost that is then invested in projects that reduce an equal amount of emissions.

Jet Republic chief executive officer Jonathan Breeze said that they looked at a variety of programmes to offset the emissions of their aircraft.

Bombardier became the first original equipment manufacturer to offer its business aircraft customers a carbon emissions offset option when the scheme began September 2007.

Jet Republic flies to over 1,000 airports in Europe.