Vista Experiences Strong First Quarter, Signalling Full Recovery Of Business Aviation In Asia Pacific

Vista Global Holding (Vista), the world’s leading global private aviation group, recorded a 141% increase year-on-year in number of flights for the Asia Pacific region for 2023’s first quarter, including 269% year-on-year growth for Greater China and 95% growth for Southeast Asia.

Compared to 2019’s first quarter, pre-pandemic time, the Asia Pacific region is up 76%, including an 82% increase for Greater China and 65% increase for Southeast Asia. The business aviation market in Asia Pacific – after three years of travel restrictions caused by the COVID pandemic – has fully recovered.

“The flight figures signal business has resumed to normal in Asia Pacific. We have seen increasing domestic flights taking place within mainland China and non-stop long-haul flights on our flagship Global 7500 connecting Asia to Europe and the US,” says Ian Moore, Chief Commercial Officer for Vista.

Since the border re-opening in early January, mainland China has experienced 553% growth year-on-year in the first quarter, exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Hong Kong performed exceptionally well in the first quarter. Flights rose 224% year-on-year, recording a 314% increase compared to same period in 2019. The growth in Southeast Asia was led by Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines for the first quarter.

Top routes include: Hong Kong-Singapore, Singapore-Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta-Singapore, Hong Kong-Tokyo, Hong Kong-Sapporo, Tokyo-Los Angeles, etc. “The high growth figures across the region reflect the huge pent-up demand there is for travel,” says Moore.

Business aviation is facilitator of economic growth. When entrepreneurs fly into a country looking to invest, they often fly in privately due to various reasons such as safety, security and privacy concerns. Commercial airlines have yet to restore capacity to pre-COVID levels, in some instances, there is less than a daily service or no flights at all.

Moore says: “Vista is benefiting from the trend that more aircraft owners are selling their aircraft and turning to an asset light solution to meet their flying needs.”

The increased demand for private flights is leading to an increase in Vista’s Program Membership, providing guaranteed availability globally with as little as 24 hours’ notice.

In this year’s first quarter, Vista recorded 45% year-on-year growth in its new Program Members, and 200% growth compared to the same period in pre-pandemic 2019 in the Asia Pacific region.

Vista’s Program Membership is a popular solution for those wanting aircraft ownership experience without the capital commitments, asset risk and management responsibilities. This subscription membership model, where clients only pay for the flight hours they need, enjoy a fixed hourly rate and guaranteed availability. Vista provides Members with access to a global fleet of over 360 aircraft covering 96% of the world.