Vista, parent of the VistaJet and XO brands, has given a market update and overview of its performance for the first half of 2023. The company reports exceptional growth in demand across all geographies, supported by significant growth in its Program membership.

Total flight hours have grown 30 per cent globally since the start of this year. Europe was the largest contributor in absolute terms, with flight hours up 38 per cent year-on-year and representing 34 per cent of total flight hours. The US, Vista’s largest region, saw flight hours increase by 15 per cent and Program contracted hours sold up over 40 per cent. Strong global performance was also driven by Asia, which saw 80 per cent growth in flight hours year-on-year, and the Middle East, where flight hours grew by 62 per cent. Strong demand for ultra-long range travel among corporates has been fuelling growth, which is serviced on Vista’s intercontinental fleet.

Founder and chairman Thomas Flohr says: “We are off to a strong start in 2023 thanks to our rapidly growing subscription programme, which highlights just how popular our asset-free offering is among both existing clients and those flying private for the first time. Reflecting the enduring demand for the subscription model across our client base across all markets, we continue to see unprecedented levels of demand from existing and new members, with many more hours being sold to existing members as well as a large number of new clients asking to join.”

VistaJet Program numbers are up approximately 40 per cent relative to June 2022, while Program hours sold grew by more than 20 per cent year-on-year in the first six months of this year, half of which came from add-on hours for existing clients.

Investments made have substantially scaled the fleet and geographical scope of Vista’s offering, especially across the US, Europe and the Middle East. An extensive fleet upgrade programme has seen cabin improvements to the level of the new Global 7500 specifications and delivery of a consistent client experience on every flight.

So far this year, 46 aircraft have been upgraded globally, 31 of which are US-registered, including the Citation X, G450 and GIV-SP, as well as 15 in the international fleet, including the Citation XLS+, Legacy 650 and Falcon 7X.

A larger fleet requires a growing number of industry experts, and Vista continues to invest in training its people. Across 40 assessment days held in the US and Europe, Vista met more than 500 candidates, narrowed down from more than 3,000 applicants, before welcoming the strongest 120 performers to the team. Since the beginning of 2023, Vista has trained over 250 cabin hosts, including the entire team at Air Hamburg, its German subsidiary, and more than half of those from its US Part 135 operation Jet Edge.

In May, the first US-based VistaJet Training Academy was launched in Columbus, Ohio, and the company is expanding its team of quality ambassadors to ensure upgraded ground support across the globe.