Luxury Chartering 2017

IAN MOORE | VISTAJET
Leaving No
Region
UNTOUCHED
WRITTEN BY LITALIA YOAKUM
A
S GLOBAL FLIGHT TRAFFIC travel. In the 2015 calendar year, flight traffic
and overall passenger from Asia was up 62% year-on-year, with
numbers increase, business traffic within China up 25%. The number
aviation company VistaJet of passengers traveled was also up 57%.
continues to expand its global reach VistaJet partnered with Chinese operator
offering clients the best of private aircraft Apex Air in July of 2015. The Civil Aviation
travel. Since its inception in 2004, the Administration of China (CAAC) authorized
company has welcomed 100 aircraft to business now manages and operates a
its fleet and journeyed across the world China-based fleet of aircraft for VistaJet’s
— covering 90% of the
Flight Solutions Program.
globe. As growth continues,
VistaJet also launched a
VistaJet anticipates
locally-registered aircraft
further expansion along
in Mainland China. The
with providing additional
Challenger 850 should
unmatched, efficient service.
perform well, in this market
that favors a long-range and
“Having an efficient use of
large cabin business jets.
an aircraft and only having
to pay for the hours you
Although the company is
need is a very appealing
continuously learning about
argument in markets where assets are the Chinese market and the Asia-Pacific
depreciating in significant numbers,” says region, Moore stressed that each flight
VistaJet Chief Commercial Officer, Ian Moore. experience is tailored to the individual.
“We are very specific on the customer. We
With interest taking off within Asia, the
want to be their home away from home
company expects to capitalize on the region
and we do this by creating an environment
and its increasing interest in private aircraft
36 Luxury Chartering | Issue One
INTERVIEW WITH IAN MOORE,
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER VISTAJET
that is specific to the client through music,
lighting, cabin temperature, blankets and
even fragrance.”
VistaJet is also dealing with an increasing
number of corporations, who are more
focused on efficiency and time-saving.
Regardless of the clientele, the company
strives to make each flight the best it can
be. Improving the customer’s onboard
experience can often be a difficult task,
particularly with those who repeatedly
fly with VistaJet. “We consistently try to
enhance the experience for each customer.”
“If you’re doing 100 flights with us and
you’re always flying at lunchtime, even
Michelin-starred restaurant food needs to
evolve,” says Moore. Through this mindset,
VistaJet incessantly looks for fresh
ways to improve all aspects of the flight.
Everything from books onboard to Le Labo
cabin fragrance help create a home-like
feeling. Catering to guest’s palate is an
ever-changing menu created by Nobu.
To accompany the cuisine is a curated
selection of wines chosen by Founder and
Chairman, Thomas Flohr.
Not only has VistaJet enhanced its onboard
experience, but also the booking process.
Through a recently-launched mobile app,
customers can now use their smartphone
to book, amend, and review flights, as well
as pre-select entertainment and catering
from a wide-range of online menus. At the
touch of a button, customers have a direct
online communication channel with the
company. Because VistaJet maintains its
own fleet, clients can be sure they will be
flying onboard a well-maintained business
jet that follows all necessary protocols.
The new app is just another example of
how VistaJet makes traveling convenient
and efficient. “This app helps to put the
power back in customer’s hands, if they
want it,” explains Moore. “We have not and
will not turn off the traditional avenues of
communicating. You can still call us and
we’ll arrange everything.”
While the company continues to flourish,
there are still challenges to overcome.
Infrastructure remains a problem
throughout Asia. Operating in cities like
Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai can be
difficult. “When a private jet is entering a
new location, very rarely is it for a family
to go on holiday. It is traditionally for
commerce and for deals to happen. When a
city or country is less accessible for private
jets, then it has a knock-on effect on the
‘open for business’ sign that the country
may have.”
VistaJet also strives to educate the market
on the true costs of this industry. “Our
pricing is transparent and all inclusive. If
clients want a brand-new, well-maintained
jet and a safe operation, then we offer value
for money. Some of the charter prices in
the marketplace are not profitable, and
therefore not safe. When clients look to
charter a jet, they aren’t just getting a oneoff
aircraft. They’re getting an investment
into not only the aircraft, but the people,
safety, security, and entire operation.”
Owning their own fleet allows VistaJet to
ensure that all details -- big and small -- are
covered when a client comes to them.
Aircraft are available at the needs of the
customer in locations convenient locations,
across the world.
Optimism remains high for the future of
the company; whose aim is to leave no
region untouched. “We’d like to have the
whole world. We have the biggest operating
zone in the world, but even we don’t cover
all the world -- just yet. At the moment, we
are focusing on building a 100% global —
one-way pricing, guaranteed availability
— operation. Building China within the next
two to three years will help us reach that
point. From an operational side, we’ll work
with APEX to do that. On the sales side,
we’ll build the customer base to match the
fleet we have available.”
www.vistajet.com
Luxury Chartering | Issue One 37