Global business aviation company VistaJet, celebrating 15 years in Asia, wants to deepen its roots in “emerging markets” like India and has opened an office in Singapore to tap the growth in the inflow of investment and demand for professional services.
The Singapore opening complements its marketing and sales offices in Hong Kong, Dubai, London, New York and Los Angeles.
Ian Moore, chief commercial officer, said private aviation did not see a downturn during the pandemic with big corporations adopting a “no asset, no hazard” business model – not owning, operating and maintaining its own fleet – and “commercial solutions” not being able to deliver the “value of time”.
Asia, he continued, was a big buyer of its flagship Bombardier VistaJet Global 7500 product and tailored flight-hour subscription plan offering guaranteed access and availability to the entire fleet at a fixed hourly rate anytime and anywhere around the world.
This comes as corporates, Moore commented, were looking for “certainty” and “anonymity, combined with luxury and efficiency”.
The Global 7500 can fly non-stop from Singapore to London, Vancouver, San Francisco and Cape Town with its range. Hourly rates start from US$15,000 and between 20 and 30 per cent more for short hops and during peak hours.
The aircraft seats 14, sleeps eight, and is designed with four living spaces comprising a living area, a dining area for up to six passengers, a cinema and a stateroom.
“Asia is growing significantly, and private aviation is taking off,” he said, citing the example of India creating a bigger footprint on world trade.
According to a statement, intra-Asia and flights to and from Asia in 1H2023 increased 80 per cent year-on-year.
VistaJet has committed to being fully carbon neutral by 2025 and since introducing offsets in 2020, more than 85 per cent of members have opted in to compensate for their fuel emissions by investing in certified carbon credits.
Moore said an announcement on the use of sustainable aviation fuel will be made soon.
