Private aviation group Vista Global has reported a sharp rise in flights across Greater China, underscoring growing demand from wealthy travellers and corporations despite wider economic uncertainty in the region.
The Dubai-based company said in a press release that annual traffic in Greater China rose 32% from 2024 to 2025, as it accelerated expansion plans across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Vista said demand had been driven by an increase in cross-border business travel, leisure trips and a growing appetite for flexible private aviation services.
The company, which operates the VistaJet and XO brands, said the region had become an increasingly important market within its global network as affluent consumers seek alternatives to commercial airlines.
Earlier this week, the company showcased its new flagship Bombardier Global 8000 aircraft to media and industry stakeholders during a tour of Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Growth in Asia
Vista said flights departing from and arriving in Greater China increased strongly over the past year, with routes linking Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Dubai among the busiest.
The group also pointed to rising demand from technology entrepreneurs, financial executives and family offices, particularly as geopolitical tensions and changing travel patterns reshape international business travel.
The company has sought to deepen its presence in Asia through partnerships, regional hiring and expanded customer services. Vista said membership demand in Greater China had continued to grow as customers prioritised privacy, flexibility and direct international access.
The private aviation sector has experienced sustained growth since the pandemic, when affluent travellers turned to chartered flights and membership-based aviation services to avoid disruptions affecting commercial airlines.
Although demand moderated in parts of the US and Europe last year, operators have continued to identify Asia and the Middle East as major long-term growth markets.
Luxury travel resilience
Vista’s expansion comes as luxury travel spending in China shows signs of resilience despite pressure on the broader economy from weak consumer confidence and a prolonged property downturn.
The company said Chinese travellers were increasingly combining business and leisure travel while seeking more personalised services and access to secondary destinations not easily reached through scheduled airline networks.
Thomas Flohr, Vista’s founder and chair, said the company remained confident about long-term opportunities in Greater China and wider Asia.
Vista operates a fleet of more than 360 aircraft globally and markets itself as offering subscription-style access to private aviation without requiring customers to own jets outright.
