Press Release
Issued by SkyPark FBO Malaysia.
August 7, 2008
Malaysia and Asia's high flyers will now be able to travel to any destination around the world in absolute confidence, convenience, comfort and privacy, with the commitment today by VistaJet SA to start executive air charter flights from its hub in Asia at the new five-star SkyPark FBO Malaysia terminal with an initial two dedicated aircrafts.
VistaJet's flights will be supported by SkyPark FBO Malaysia (FBO), built at a cost of RM3 million by Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd, was officially opened today by Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, with the Minister of Transport Datuk Ong Tee Keat in attendance.
VistaJet will station two corporate jets at SkyPark FBO Malaysia – a Bombardier Challenger 605 and a Challenger 850 worth a cumulative USD60 million with the highest standards in safety and luxury to enable clients to travel from Malaysia to any destination on their own schedules.
Speaking at the launch, Subang SkyPark Executive Director Datuk Ravindran Menon said, "We are delighted to welcome the leading figures in the international business aviation industry here today in realising the broader vision of the Malaysia International Aerospace Centre (MIAC) blueprint and expanding corporate and private jet traffic into Malaysia."
"It is a big vote of confidence in the Malaysian Government's vision of forming a world class corporate and general aviation hub to serve this growing market, placing Subang once again on the world aviation map and bringing with it greater investments and spin-off benefits to Malaysia in general and the Malaysian aviation industry in particular."
VistaJet SA chairman Thomas Flohr said, "Today's event marks VistaJet's entry into Asia and Malaysia is our first major step towards building our business in in the region which is seeing corporate jet traffic expanding at triple digit growth. We are confident that our world-class services will be well deployed in the region."
Also present at the launch were Subang SkyPark chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, Subang SkyPark director Puan Aisamar Kadil Mydin Syed Marikiah, VistaJet SA CEO Mr Bing Chen, Hawker Pacific CEO Alan Smith, Hawker Pacific senior vice president Asia – John Riggir, Hawker Pacific senior vice president – aircraft sales Tony Jones, ExecuJet Aviation Group executive director – aviation services Graeme Duckworth, ExecuJet Aviation Group group managing director Gerrit Basson, ExecuJet Aviation Group regional managing director Alastair Creighton-Jones, Swiss ambassador to Malaysia Dr Urs Stemmler and Austrian ambassador to Malaysia Dr Donatus KÖCK.
Austria-based VistaJet Holding also announced the successful conclusion of a definitive agreement to acquire Bombardier Aerospace's Skyjet International, one of the world's leading charter operators.
The deal, according to VistaJet, propels the company to the number-two position outside North America and allows it to expand operations worldwide as Skyjet has offices in London, Hong Kong and Dubai.
"The transaction is a perfect fit; the complementary synergies and strengths are in line with our goal of becoming the world's leading business aviation provider,'' added Thomas Flohr.
"The merger underlines VistaJet's vision of revolutionizing the business aviation landscape globally by coupling pure luxury with affordability."