By Tork Buckley

In what has to be a massive show of confidence and nod to the resurgence of UHWNI’s spending in the super-luxury sector is the recent announcement from VistaJet of a “firm” order for six Bombardier business jets: these are comprised of four ultra long-range Global Express XRS and two large cabin Challenger 605 aircraft. The jets will have a distinctive red and grey livery with interiors styled by Laura Sessa.

The company chose these aircraft for their range and capacity which ideally suit their growth sectors of Middle East, West Africa and Russia / CIS .The order matches the company’s philosophy of maintaining an average fleet age of less than two years old and takes fleet numbers to in excess of thirty aircraft. VistaJet is notable for owning the aircraft they charter. This differs form other charter or factional companies who sell free time on jets they do not own. The VistaJet corporate philosophy was clearly explained when The Yacht Report interviewed CEO Thomas Flohr on his superyacht in Monaco (see issue 106 page 75). Explaining the new order Flohr said: “This represents another milestone in VistaJet’s development and will enable us to meet a rapid growth in demand from customers recognizing the benefit of our simple program solutions over fractional ownership.”

While VistaJet comment that the order endorses “that VistaJet’s business model demonstrates resilience during global economic downturn”, there is no doubt too that it shows that some companies are investing in the resurgence in demand in the luxury sector which must bode well for the business aviation and superyacht industry growth. Of course it also may indicate a move way form ownership to charter in these less extravagant times.