(Nairobi) – VistaJet, a top international business aviation company, has announced plans for an extensive expansion in East and South Africa, underscoring the company’s commitment to Africa’s evolving private aviation market. VistaJet will soon launch its first-ever East and South Africa Static Display Roadshow, showcasing its flagship aircraft, the Bombardier Global 7500. The roadshow will begin in Nairobi, Kenya, and later proceed to major South African cities Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The selected locations reflect each city’s prominence in the region. Nairobi is widely seen as East Africa’s business and technology center, while Johannesburg and Cape Town represent a mature aviation market in South Africa. This roadshow follows VistaJet’s West Africa edition earlier this year, and aims to strengthen ties with potential and current clients in East and South Africa while promoting the company’s expansion within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
VistaJet’s President of Europe and Africa, Philippe Scalabrini, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the African market. He noted that the East and South Africa Roadshow builds on the success of previous events in West Africa and aligns with VistaJet’s goal of fostering regional economic growth through greater investment in Africa’s private aviation sector.
At the core of this initiative is the Bombardier Global 7500, the largest and longest-range business jet in the world, capable of flying up to 17 hours non-stop. This aircraft has been instrumental in connecting African cities like Cape Town to Accra and Johannesburg to Cairo, as well as in facilitating travel between Africa and Asia. In the first half of 2024, the Bombardier Global 7500 saw a 33% increase in flight hours within Africa, reflecting its growing popularity in the region.
In recent months, VistaJet has expanded its global presence amid a slight slowdown in the broader private aviation market following the pandemic-driven surge. By July 2024, VistaJet held an estimated 5% of the global market. The company’s flight hours increased by 14% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, outpacing a 2% contraction in the global market. VistaJet’s Program membership was a significant factor in this growth, with a 19% rise in Program hours and an 18% increase in new members.
Africa has been a key growth area for VistaJet in 2024. In the first half of the year, total flight hours on the continent rose by 29% year-over-year, with a 103% increase in New Program Hours Sold. East Africa recorded a 46% increase in flight hours, while South Africa saw a 79% increase, highlighting the growing demand for private aviation services in these areas.
| VistaJet Expansion in Africa (2024) | Growth Metrics |
|---|---|
| Flight Hours Increase (Africa) | 29% year-over-year |
| New Program Hours Sold | 103% increase |
| East Africa Flight Hours Increase | 46% |
| South Africa Flight Hours Increase | 79% |
| Bombardier Global 7500 Flight Hours in Africa | 33% increase in first half of 2024 |
The private aviation sector in Africa is expanding steadily. Currently, there are 418 private jets across the continent, with South Africa hosting the largest fleet, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. The sector’s growth is contributing positively to the economy; air transport alone is responsible for an estimated 7.7 million jobs and around KSh 8.13 trillion ($63 billion) in GDP on the continent.
According to the 2024 Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners, Africa’s total investable wealth is valued at KSh 322.5 trillion ($2.5 trillion), with the millionaire population projected to grow by 65% over the next decade. This rise is expected to be driven by key sectors such as fintech, business process outsourcing, software development, rare metals mining, green technology, media, and wealth management.