Austrian luxury-charter company VistaJet was announced today as the launch customer for the Bombardier Global 8000 business jet following an order for 10 of the ultra-long-range types.

The Mach 0.90 aircraft are earmarked for delivery in 2017 and 2018 said VistaJet founder and chairman Thomas Flohr. "We have orders for 35 Bombardier aircraft, mainly in the large-cabin and long-range categories, which will help to drive our growth," he added.

Bombardier Global 7000
 © Bombardier

"VistaJet is keen to expand across the fast-developing BRINC [Brazil, Russia, India, Nigeria and China] countries and the Middle East. These markets currently account for over 75% of all our flights. At the same time, the geographic reach of our corporate customers places demanding requirements on our fleet with sectors typically of between five and 10 hours duration."

Flohr said that while the company's key focus is on the top end of the business jet spectrum, the midsize sector will continue to be an important part of VistaJet's offering. "Our seven Learjet 60XRS - our entry-level product - will be replaced between August and December this year with the upgraded 60NG," he said.

Source: Flight Daily News