Apex Air, a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)-authorized business jet operator, will manage and operate a China-based fleet of aircraft for VistaJet, the companies announced yesterday. Under the partnership, VistaJet plans to offer point-to-point service in China with a Chinese-registered Bombardier Challenger 850 by the end of September. Chinese customers will also continue to have access to VistaJet's fleet of more than 50 large-cabin Challengers and Globals for international flights.

“VistaJet has been operating international flights in and out of China for many years. Adding domestic flights through our partnership with Apex Air extends our service area to include one of private aviation's most exciting new markets,” said VistaJet founding chairman Thomas Flohr. “China is an important growth market for VistaJet and we expect it to be among the fastest-growing regions for our product offering over the next few years.”

Flohr said Apex Air is key to expanding VistaJet’s business in the region. “Their management team are aviation pioneers in China, having accumulated years of first-hand experience running commercial operations in the country. They share VistaJet's entrepreneurial spirit and drive for excellence,” he said.