VistaJet has announced 2017 as its strongest year yet. Its Program customer base in the Middle East has grown by 50 per cent, with the UAE accounting for 28 per cent of flights and 37 per cent of flight hours in the region. Flights to Oman tripled. Europe accounted for 41 per cent of the total hours flown by the company in the period, with the UK making up 26 per cent, France 19 per cent and Italy 11 per cent of regional flights.

The operator also launched VistaJet Direct, a new digital membership that offers priority access to one-way and empty leg flights at preferential rates.

Founder and chairman Thomas Flohr states: “Last year was a transformational year for us, and a turning point. We are now firmly established as one of Europe's leading and most exciting start-up businesses, and one of the only companies in the business aviation market to be valued in excess of $1bn.

“Along with seizing market share from our rivals in all of our core markets, we reinforced our position as the brand of choice for the world's leading business leaders and entrepreneurs. In the last 12 months, we have flown more chief executives and chairmen to more destinations than we ever have before.

“We are committed to becoming the number one player in every market in which we operate, and we are on course to make great strides towards that goal in 2018.”