China's largest business jet operator Deer Jet was awarded ARGUS Platinum Rating certificate on Tuesday, the highest recognition of the global business aviation industry for an airline's operational performance.

The award will help Deer Jet expand in the international market, and encourage Chinese business jet operators to improve their services and operations to meet international standards, said Liu Kaihong, Deer Jet's board chairman.

ARGUS is the world's only international audit organization for business jets that has been authorized by both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).

It has established a business rating standard widely used for the auditing of business jets, which includes Gold Rating, Gold-Plus Rating and Platinum Rating.

"Platinum Rating is the highest level of the three. Of more than 2,000 corporate aircraft operators all over the world, only 87 have been given Platinum Rating and they are mainly in America," said ARGUS' CEO Joseph Moeggenberg.

According to Moeggenberg, ARGUS' evaluations covers 12 items such as safety management system, employee training, international flight operations, security and crisis control.

"The award means Deer Jet has reached the highest operational level of the industry. It will be more trusted by the top 1,000 enterprises of the world, given more business opportunities," said Moeggenberg.

China has seen growing demand for business jets, which provide a time-saving, efficient and flexible means of transport for business people.

There are about 70 business jets operated by six companies in China and the total number is expected to exceed 200 by 2012, with an annual growth of 20 to 40 percent.

However, the Chinese business jet operators still lack operational experiences and quality services to meet international standards, such as the ARGUS ratings, which are commonly recognized by the clients, especially from the America and Europe, said Liu.

Founded in 1995, the Beijing-based Deer Jet Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, China's fourth-largest airline. It currently runs 39 business jets on more than 120 routes.

Earlier in April, the company also passed the audit of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations made by IBAC.

The company aims to increase its number of business jets to 55 by the end of 2011, said Liu.