The delivery dates for three ACJs to VistaJet have been moved forward into early 2010 from 2011 and the Swiss-headquartered charter operator is in final negotiations with suppliers over outfitting.

"We are moving ahead very quickly," says Bing Chen, ceo. He is pictured with Richard Gaona, vp executive and private aviation Airbus, Thomas Flohr, chairman VistaJet, and Christophe Pelet, senior contracts director, Airbus before negotiations on delivery dates took place.

The earlier delivery date was agreed after VistaJet decided to make ACJs the flagship aircraft of its fleet (see EBAN October).

Its first Challenger 605 was brought into service just weeks ago but the requirements of its "very prominent" owner means charter is restricted. However charter capacity will rapidly increase as the fleet's second Challenger 850 has already reached completion centre stage and two Learjet 60XRs and a Global Express are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year.

"VistaJet plans to expand the existing business in the former CIS states and Europe and develop its Middle East and Asian business in 2008," Chen confirms. The VistaJet charter fleet, which includes a Learjet 40XR, two Learjet 60s and three Challenger 604s, aims to have more than 20 aircraft in charter and managed operation by 2010. "The VistaJet fleet has visa waiver approval for U.S. flights, the 40XR can go into London City and we plan to be Wyvern or ARG/US audited by end of the year," Chen says.

As well as being a business jet charter operation, VistaJet is a financing and brokerage company with operations based in Salzburg, Austria, as well as Switzerland.