VistaJet is set to organise its first ever East and South Africa Static Display Roadshow, showcasing its flagship Bombardier Global 7500. The event will commence in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, followed by a landing in top business centres Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Nairobi’s positioning as East Africa tech and business hub, along with Johannesburg and Cape Town’s role in South Africa’s mature aviation market, have made these cities essential focal points for VistaJet’s growth strategy. The roadshow will engage with prospective and existing clients and the local media, serving as a platform to share ongoing expansion and dedication to support the region’s economic transformation as set out in the AcFTA agreement. This roadshow follows the monumental success of its West African edition, held earlier in May.

According to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association, the number of business jets operating in Africa is expected to grow by eight per cent annually over the next five years. Currently, there are 418 jets on the continent, with South Africa having the largest business aircraft fleet, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. The ongoing growth of private aviation in Africa has also benefited the continent’s employment rates, with air transport contributing significantly to 7.7 million jobs and $63 billion in GDP.

Elsewhere, The 2024 Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners reveals that the total investable wealth on the African continent stands at $2.5 trillion, and that the millionaire population is expected to increase by 65 per cent over the next 10 years fuelled by strong growth in key sectors such as fintech, business process outsourcing, software development, rare metals mining, green tech, media and entertainment, and wealth management. The ‘Big 5’ wealth markets, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco, collectively account for 56 per cent of Africa’s HNWIs and over 90 per cent of its billionaires.

In the past 14 years, VistaJet has built a strong African network, and during the roadshow it will showcase the Bombardier Global 7500, the largest and longest-range business jet, which offers unbeatable global connectivity, flying up to 17 hours non-stop. Vista has 18, the world’s largest fleet. With precision-engineered wings providing an exceptionally smooth ride in the large cabin and four separate living spaces, including a permanent stateroom, this jet is perfectly suited for business or a family dynamic. In the first half of 2024, across Africa, Vista’s Global 7500 flight hours increased by 33 per cent; this aircraft is becoming increasingly more popular across the continent. It is popular for connecting African cities such as Cape Town to Accra and Johannesburg to Cairo, and international routes such as Africa and Asia, demonstrating a strong sentiment to increasing investment between the African and Asian continents.

An impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 20 years has made Vista the largest provider of on demand business flights in the world, and that trajectory is not changing; over the last 18 months, while the private aviation industry as a whole experienced a levelling out in demand following the post-COVID boom, Vista expanded its global footprint and as of July 2024 has gained an additional 50 basis points of total market share year over year, with its share of the market rising to approximately five per cent of the total market. With an addressable market of over 24,000 business jets around the globe, as well as a broader spectrum of aspirational fliers, there is also significantly more scope and opportunity for the group to capture further market share over the next two decades.

In the first half of 2024, Vista was once again experiencing exceptional growth, with total flight hours up 14 per cent yoy; an incredible result, especially when compared to a global market that contracted by two per cent over the same period.

The VistaJet Program membership has been the biggest contributor to this growth, recording 19 per cent growth in Program hours and an 18 per cent increase in the number of members.

Continuing this trajectory, the first half of 2024 was marked by:

- Double-digit growth in flight hours, a direct result of its strategic foresight and market understanding.

- A substantial membership surge as clients gravitated towards Vista’s flexible subscription-based model.

- Africa success; the continent remains a priority market for Vista with impressive growth in the first half of 2024. Africa reported strong flight activity with a 103 per cent increase in the new Program hours sold and a 29 per cent increase in total hours flown yoy. East Africa specifically experienced a 46 per cent increase and South Africa a 79 per cent increase in total hours flown.

With over a decade of operations in East and South Africa, VistaJet continues to play a vital role in supporting development in these sub-regions by facilitating global investments and connecting decision-makers, corporations and business executives. Vista’s global fleet of silver and red jets means its African clients will never be stranded, with guaranteed availability in as little as 24 hours’ notice, no matter where they are going in the world. Global coverage, covering 96 per cent of the globe, also means knowing how to operate in over 2,700 airports, making journeys to every destination safe and reliable. VistaJet’s flexibility is unparalleled for its expanding African client base.

President of Europe and Africa Philippe Scalabrini says: “Building on the momentum of the West Africa Roadshow, we are pleased to announce the East and South Africa Roadshow. VistaJet is committed to offering top rate, exclusive services to its extensive client network in this critical region. In response to the growing demand, we have deployed three dedicated aircraft while upholding our exceptional standards. VistaJet’s main expansion plan objective is to enhance Africa’s economic growth by increasing regional investments and facilitating overall growth.”