Vista witnesses strong growth during H1 of 2021

Vista Global Holding (Vista), has shown strong growth in the region in the first half of 2021.

The results show the Middle East making a significant contribution to the Group’s overall global sales growth, while combined flights into Dubai’s two international airports saw the Emirate become the Group’s number one destination for flights.

Vista, which has its global headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Center, is the world’s largest On Demand charter provider by hours flown.

Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman, said:  “The year has begun with a record start, with sales of the Group’s subscription products at all-time highs during the first half of 2021. Our unique portfolio of brands includes VistaJet, XO and the recently acquired Red Wing Aviation, Apollo Jets and Talon Air. Specifically — with our signature Program membership and iconic silver and red fleet of mid and long-range jets — it has driven the Group’s substantial growth in the GCC markets.”

The Middle East saw a 100% YOY increase in the number of new VistaJet Program Members between January and June 2021, compared to the first half of 2020. At the same time, VistaJet registered a 153% increase in the number of flight hours against the same period last year, compared to North America and Europe which registered 76% and 41% respectively.

The region had some of the highest growth in terms of number of all VistaJet flights, with an increase of 134% vs the same time last year, while Bahrain, UAE and Qatar all saw a massive triple-digit YoY increase for the same period, with +283%, +236% and 231% respectively.

While the majority of growth came in the second quarter, when a rebound in regional and international flight activity helped drive acceleration across the Group, a number of key flying events provided a boost in Q1, including an uplift in travel from Russia in January/February and strong travel over the Easter period in March/April. The resumption of business and international travel marked a significant increase in flights during Q2, while the Orthodox Easter also provided an uplift in flights specifically to Dubai in May. The flexibility of its floating fleet and where it is placed around the world has allowed Vista to take advantage of these flight movements and position its global fleet accordingly.

Flohr added: “It has been an exceptional start to 2021 for Vista and we are making groundbreaking progress in all corners of the world in enhancing our position as the global pioneer within the business aviation industry. The Middle East has been a key and growing market for several years now and, the fact we have seen such strong and consistent growth through the first half of the year, demonstrates how private aviation is the critical mobility solution. Dubai in particular has been a key business hub for us.”