Luxury private aircraft operator VistaJet is hoping to establish point-to-point services within Africa and China within 12 months through commercial agreements with established local operators. The move is part of the Swiss company's long-term strategy to gain a foothold in all the major global economies and comes hot on the heels of a recent agreement between VistaJet and Russian air taxi operator Dexter Aviation.
"The agreement will allow VistaJet to rapidly expand its presence in Russia and offer point-to-point flights within the country. Destinations within Russia's far-east, Siberia and the CIS countries are in high demand," says VistaJet founder and chairman Thomas Flohr. Two Bombardier Challenger 605s will be based in the country initially, but Flohr expects to more than double the fleet of large-cabin business jets to five aircraft as business grows.
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| VistaJet VistaJet plan to use a pair of Bombardier Challenger 605's to aid its expansion |
"Russia accounts for around a third of our business today, but Africa and China, with year-on-year growth rates of more than 20% and 15% respectively, are very promising," Flohr adds.
With a view to starting point-to-point services within 12 months, VistaJet is holding talks with a local African operator and has already signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese company.
In anticipation of its global expansion, VistaJet plans to double its 31-strong fleet by the end of 2015 and will add two more Global 6000s before the end of the year.
Source: Flight International