Private business jet service provider VistaJet is eying the Indian market to grow its footprint in this part of Asia as well as to tap the potential of the international private flying market out of India.
The Swiss company believes that there is large demand for luxury private air charter service in India as several corporates prefer not to block capital in buying private jets.
“Our plan for India is to offer the VistaJet programme immediately to Indians who need long-range and international travel, out of India and back into India,” said Thomas Flohr, Chairman & Managing Director, VistaJet Holding SA.
VistaJet, which provides point-to-point air charter service, does not have any plans to station any aircraft in India but has assured availability of aircraft in 24 hours notice.
“We have no home base as our planes are flying all over the world at all times, and we can have them available for Indian customers at a mere 24 hours notice — we don’t “station” planes anywhere (we prefer to describe our home base as the sky),” said Mr. Flohr.
“However, as we have 35 aircraft in the fleet today, and 56 Global Express on order (with an additional 86 options on further Global Express) we will always have aircraft in India or very close by, and with such “easily moveable assets”, we can serve India very easily with 24 hours notice,” he added.
The company is targeting Indian entrepreneurs and corporates who do business internationally and have a need for between 100 hours and 400 hours of private flying per year. “We think, in two to three years, we will have between 50-150 clients (from India),” Mr. Flohr said.
Largest order
Two weeks ago, VistaJet had placed the largest business aircraft order with Bombardier for 142 Global business jets which included firm orders for 56 Global jets and options for 86 Global jets at a list price of $7.8 billion.
