VistaJet
![]() | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (August 2010) |
File:VistaJet.png | |||||||
| |||||||
Founded | 2004 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fleet size | Over 35 | ||||||
Headquarters | Baar, Switzerland | ||||||
Key people | Thomas Flohr, Ian Moore destinations=Point-to-point Global coverage | ||||||
Website | http://www.vistajet.com |
VistaJet is a Swiss airline marketed on the principle of an uncomplicated and flexible service to corporate clients. Since its creation in 2004, all the shares have been held by its founder, Thomas Flohr.
Overview
The leading Global business aviation company is the only provider that offers non-stop global coverage on a consistent fleet. All aircraft are from Bombardier, with an average fleet age of less than two years and all operating under their manufacturers' warranty, and have the same look, touch and feel inside and out, with their distinctive silver and red striped livery. VistaJet is headquartered in Switzerland with offices in London and Farnborough, Malta, Dubai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Salzburg, and Zurich.
Services
VistaJet sells hours on its fleet of large cabin, long range Global and Challenger jets. There are two ways to fly with VistaJet:
- PROGRAM (Flight Solutions Program) For corporate leaders, entrepreneurs and private individuals who need to fly regularly (usually 50-500 annual flying hours) with guaranteed availability at a fixed price. Program customers have access to the entire fleet of business jets.
- ON DEMAND For those who want to fly occasionally (less than 50 annual flying hours) fly on an ad hoc basis.
VistaJet offers its customers the largest single service area in business aviation, deploying brand new aircraft into Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and now the United States[1] for their international travel needs.
History
Founded in 2004.
In 2008 VistaJet Holding SA, formerly Air Executive LU.AT, was founded by Thomas Flohr as a European private business jet charter and aircraft management company.
In 2006, the company ordered from Bombardier three Bombardier Challenger 605 business jets and signed an option for two additional aircraft, making this order the first and largest multiple aircraft order placed by a European company for the new jet. In 2007, VistaJet announced the opening of a base at SkyPark Subang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a Bombardier Challenger 604 and a Challenger 605 likely available for customers.
In February 2008, VistaJet announced that, as part of its plans to triple its fleet in 2008, it planned to be present in the UK market within weeks offering a London City based Learjet 40 XR as well as a Learjet 60 XR.[2] Later, in May 2008, VistaJet announced an order for 11 Bombardier Learjet 85 aircraft, along with 11 Challenger 605 and 13 Learjet 60 XR aircraft.[3] The deal includes options for an additional 25 aircraft. In addition to the aircraft order, VistaJet also signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of Bombardier Skyjet International, Bombardier's charter program, making VistaJet the third largest business jet owner, but not operator, company outside of North America.[4] The company completed its acquisition[5] of Skyjet International the following month, on June 30, 2008.[6]
In 2009, the former Swissair Chairman and SAir Group CEO Phillippe Bruggisser joined VistaJet as the new CEO and board member, following a general restructuring of the company's management team. Founder Thomas Flohr announced a rapid and aggressive growth program with the goal to develop the company to the largest executive airline outside North America. In January 2010, VistaJet announced the appointment of Robert Hersov as Chairman of the VistaJet Advisory Board.[7] The Former vice-chairman of NetJets Europe, Hersov will drive and lead the Advisory Board, advising on strategies for developing and expanding VistaJet’s operations in key operating territories including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and West Africa. In May of the same year, an announcement was made at EBACE 2010 that VistaJet recorded a strong operational and financial performance in 2009 and has the platform in place for further growth in 2010.[8]
In May 2010, VistaJet expanded its global network into West Africa, driving its expansion in the region through a new partnership with West African-based businessman Kola Aluko and dedicated aircraft to service the region from a regional base in Lagos, Nigeria.[9] In the same month VistaJet received the EBAA Bronze Safety of Flight Award for outstanding Operational and Maintenance Safety Record (20 years or 40,000 hours without an accident).[10] Two months later, a $277 million firm order for six Bombardier aircraft was announced at Farnborough Air Show. The order was for four ultra long-range Global Express XRS and two large cabin Challenger 605 aircraft. The order, which placed a greater emphasis on large, longer-range aircraft, was to significantly increase VistaJet’s long-haul capability in markets such as the Middle East, West Africa and Russia / CIS where flights are typically over six to eight hours.[11] In October 2010, Phillippe Bruggisser stepped down as CEO and Thomas Flohr took over day-to-day management.[12] At the 2011 Paris Airshow, VistaJet ordered 10 Bombardier Global 8000 business jets.[13]
September 2013 VistaJet announces agreements with Wheels Up and Jet Aviation Flight Services to offer access to Global aircraft flights within the United States, under the VistaJet Flight Solutions Program (FSP), as of March 2014. VistaJet to invest U.S. $600 million in a fleet of brand-new U.S.-based Bombardier Global aircraft that will be operated and managed by Jet Aviation Flight Services, a Part 135 U.S. air carrier. [14]
Recent orders
In November 2012 the company has placed a firm order for 56 Bombardier Global Express business jets (25 Global 5000, 25 Global 6000 and 6 Global 8000 aircraft) and options on a further 86 aircraft. Deliveries are expected to start in 2014.[15]
June 2013 saw VistaJet place an order for 40 Bombardier Challenger 350 jets, consisting of 20 firm orders and 20 options, set to join the fleet in mid-2014.
Popular Culture
A 2013 BBC article focussed on the corporation's history and unorthodox growth stategy. [16]
Fleet
Template:MultiCol Medium Range
| class="col-break " | Long Range
| class="col-break " | Ultra-Long Range
| class="col-break " |
References
- ^ "VistaJet and Wheels Up Partner to offer Global Aircraft Flight Solutions in the United States". BusinessWire. 2013-09-06.
- ^ "VistaJet expansion plan fuels career opportunities". European Business Air News. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
- ^ "Bombardier wins $1.2-billion order from VistaJet". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
{{cite news}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ King, Carolyn. "Bombardier Gets Business Jet Order Worth Up To $1.2B". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-05-21. [dead link]
- ^ "VistaJet Completes Acquisition Of Bombardier Skyjet International".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "VistaJet Completes Acquisition Of Bombardier Skyjet International".
{{cite news}}
: Text "PRNewswire-AsiaNet" ignored (help) - ^ "VistaJet makes major appointment as it looks to expand its global presence".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "Operational and Performance update for year ending 31 December 2009".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "VistaJet expands into West Africa with exciting new partnership".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "VistaJet receives the EBAA Bronze Safety of Flight Award for outstanding Operational and Maintenance Safety Record".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "VistaJet announces firm order to substantially increase its luxury fleet of Bombardier aircraft at Farnborough Air Show".
{{cite news}}
: Text "VistaJet Media Centre" ignored (help) - ^ "Flohr managing VistaJet as Bruggisser steps-down = http://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/Bruggisser-VistaJet-CEO".
{{cite news}}
: External link in
(help); Text "Corporate Jet Investor" ignored (help)|title=
- ^ "Firm orders for 16 Global business jets worth $1.05 bln". Reuters. 2011-06-21.
- ^ "VistaJet Moves into U.S. with Jet Aviation and Wheels Up". AINONLINE. 2013-09-06.
- ^ "Major Order for VistaJet", Airliner World: 9, February 2013
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23959197