Amidst the challenges confronting Nigeria, it is a common knowledge that it is a country that is strategically positioned to be a topmost player in Africa and globally when it comes to its economic prowess as complimented by its population and location.
For every good entrepreneur who has eyes for good market, Nigeria is a ready made fertile ground for any business to enjoy massive growth and development in view of the liberal policies available therein.
Described as Africa’s largest economy and with the numerous business opportunities abound, foreign investors have found the Nigerian aviation sector in particular with interest in air transport.
By virtue of the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) Nigeria has with over 100 countries, there are over forty foreign airlines operating commercial flights into Nigeria. Besides commercial airline business, there is chartered and private types of airline business.
In this clime, major focus has been put on scheduled and commercial flight with only the bourgeois and the international business class category who out of the need for easy international networking and subsequent fast result have found a quick means of meeting their business opportunities in charter flights mode of air transport.
Obviously, charter flights are growing in popularity due to their comfort and convenience and Nigeria due to its potential has become a bride of chartered operators globally with the latest being the Switzerland-based company, VistaJet which just launched its first static roadshow in West Africa, with a stop in the region’s most dynamic cities, including Lagos.
The roadshow, the company said is another crucial step in supporting its regional growth plans.
Addressing aviation journalists at the Murtala Muhamed Airport, Vistajet’s President, Europe and Africa, Philippe Scalabrini while speaking at the launch of the company’s first static roadshow in West Africa, with a stop in Lagos revealed that private aviation globally is an industry that generates over $35 billion.
Philippe who described chartered operations as really big industry that contributes to economic development around the world, declared that what VistaJet had been able to do in the last four years was to simplify and make access to private aviation services as seamless as possible.
Philippe while describing Nigeria as a very important market, declared: “It is at the centre of the region. It is a good hub for us as well. Over the years, we have always had a dynamic business here; a lot of our customers are companies and entrepreneurs who need to use our airplanes to get around. For us, the decisive market is determined by the dynamic needs of our clients. What makes us different is we fly point to point. So, there is no need to fly the aircraft back to Nigeria. A flight could go to South Africa, stay there for a week and you fly commercially to Dubai and our planes keep flying everywhere.”
According to Philippe: “VistaJet provides great value to clients in West Africa and is the perfect flying solution for West African corporates and businesses as a hassle- free and timesaving tool to connect world decision-makers domestically and across continents, boosting economies and driving global investments. Now with 3 dedicated aircraft in the region, VistaJet aims to accelerate on its trajectory as a key partner for the region’s economic development. The business aviation sector will play a crucial role in this growth, as it has done in other regional economic transformations. VistaJet is pleased to be able to support Africa’s economic development.
Speaking on the unique point that makes VistaJet stand out, the Europe and Africa President remarked: “There is no actual repossession cost, much more consistent, much more efficient than other corporates. What we are deploying now in the West African region is exactly what we are in the rest of the world. Our clients that buy into the membership programme, will have access to the rest of the world with our 300 airplanes in Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East. For us, the aviation market in Nigeria is big already.
“To these people who own their airplanes, they are not utilizing the assets enough to justify the purchase; so, we are offering a solution for someone to buy a 100 hours and use the right aircraft type instead of using long-range aircraft for one hour flight, you can use a Challenger 605 which is more efficient. If you are flying to the U.S., you use the right aircraft type as well,” he added. Presently, the company boasts of over 300 aircraft in its fleet.
VistaJet Adding Flavour To Charter Operations In Nigeria, W/Africa
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