Vista Global Holding (Vista) has entered into an agreement to acquire the private aviation services platform of US charter operator Jet Edge.

Founded in 2011, Jet Edge is an integrated charter, management and brokerage platform and a leading provider of large cabin and super-midsize private jet charter and aircraft management services. Currently, Jet Edge has a run rate of over 60,000 yearly flight hours, exclusively in the large-cabin and super-midsize category. Following the completion of the transaction in Q2 2022, Vista expects its fleet availability to expand to approximately 350 aircraft.

The move highlights Vista’s continued investment into the US, the largest and fastest-growing region, and follows the recent announcement of a deal with German operator Air Hamburg, balancing its fleet to respond to the significant demand it has experienced across the two the largest aviation markets.

Founder and chairman Thomas Flohr says: “Vista’s commitment is to provide the most comprehensive range of flying solutions in private aviation. Today’s announcement brings significant value to our clients, with access to a further 100 aircraft, expanding our fleet at a time of unprecedented demand for business aviation services.

“Our vision is to provide the best services, anytime and anywhere, for every client. Bringing Jet Edge, the fastest-growing large-cabin and super-mid on demand company in the US, into the group scales up our presence in North America, giving Vista the opportunity to turbocharge growth in the most dynamic business aviation market. It also means expanding our offering and presenting our members with the chance to fly on the largest fleet of Gulfstream aircraft available for charter.

“I am also delighted to welcome Bill Papariella to Vista’s executive team as chief business officer. As we continue to revolutionise the private aviation market, we are ready to integrate the extensive expertise of our new colleagues across the whole Jet Edge family. This acquisition is the latest example of Vista’s ability to capitalise on key opportunities in the highly fragmented and fast-growing business aviation world.”

Papariella adds: “Vista is, without a doubt, the best operational platform in private aviation, and it aligns with our company’s promise of safe operational service and a superior flight experience. Thanks to industry-leading technology, the most coveted global fleet and the personal expertise of everyone on the team, this merger takes the Jet Edge platform to the next level overnight. Our members will now get access to an extensive global fleet, programmes, services and a network able to fly them anywhere in the world. Our aircraft owners will be able to take advantage of the enormous charter demand, global infrastructure and procurement advantages that Vista generates via its iconic brands VistaJet and XO.

“We are proud of the personal relationships we have built with each one of our Reserve members and our aircraft owners; this has been the main driver behind our tremendous growth in the past few years, at a time when aircraft availability was at a historical minimum. We cannot wait to be able to offer them additional value through our integration with Vista. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work of our teams, and I am excited about our long future together as a Vista company.”

The acquisition of the private aviation services platform of Jet Edge is the latest chapter of a longstanding partnership between the company and XO, VistaJet and Apollo Jets.

The merger is the latest step in Vista’s avowed transformation of the highly fragmented business aviation ecosystem. Vista’s maintenance services in North America will expand with the acquisition of Jet Edge’s Part 145 maintenance facility, operating as JetWorx and located strategically on the West Coast. It will provide a full suite of maintenance services to a wide range of aircraft types, augmenting the maintenance capacity across the US and securing better access to parts. The acquisition will also provide two branded lounges in Van Nuys in California and Teterboro in New Jersey, ready to welcome all guests departing from these strategic terminals.

In accord with US DOT requirements, Vista will acquire Jet Edge aircraft, hospitality and maintenance facilities, while its US strategic operating partner XOJet Aviation will acquire a majority stake of the Part 135 certificates of Jet Select and Western Air Charter, under which the Jet Edge fleet operates.