VistaJet, the fast-growing, all-Bombardier block charter specialist, is stepping up its Middle East presence after seeing its first-half revenues soar by 22% despite the industry downturn.
The world's largest private aviation operator after NetJets, Austrian-based VistaJet is looking at expanding its presence in the lucrative Saudi Arabian market, where its in-country operations are limited by cabotage regulations.
"We are looking at a partnership with a Saudi firm," says chairman and founder Thomas Flohr, but he adds that this is likely to be with a service provider rather than another charter company. "We don't want to team with someone who operates their own jets and will compromise our brand," he says.
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Salzburg-based VistaJet, which has sales offices in Dubai, Farnborough in the UK and Hong Kong and offers charter blocks of more than 100h, has enjoyed phenomenal growth since Flohr launched the company with a Learjet 60 and Challenger 604 in 2004.
After taking over Bombardier's European-based SkyJet brokerage in 2006, Flohr began to acquire additional Learjets, Challengers and Globals, and by the end of this year will have taken delivery of seven new aircraft, taking its total to 25. It plans to add a similar number next year.
"The Middle East is an extremely important region for us," says Flohr. "I
t makes up about 10% of our business. However, we expect that figure to increase, and by 2012, I would see the region representing around a third of our revenue."
One of the most striking aspects of VistaJet's brand image is its silver and red aircraft paint scheme, but Flohr says the company's attention to detail and access to a worldwide fleet is also a clinching factor in securing business in the Middle East.
"The typical customer here is one of exceptional taste and has a keen awareness of value for money, and these are attributes which fit perfectly with the ethos of VistaJet," he says. "We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of service in the skies with a simple, transparent pricing plan which delivers value."
Source: Flight Daily News
