VistaJet said it is committed to carbon neutrality by 2025. At the same time, it is calling the industry to go further than the current goal of a 50% reduction of emissions by 2050. That objective has been set by civil aviation industry bodies, IATA, and the global business aviation community.
“The industry as a whole must step up to combat climate change and its impact today. It’s the right thing to do, and we all have to act now,” says VistaJet chairman and founder Thomas Flohr.
In 2020, over 80% of VistaJet members offset CO2 emissions relative to their flights’ fuel consumption in partnership with South Pole, a project developer and global provider of climate action solutions.
VistaJet also partnered with SkyNRG, a pioneer and a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to be the first to provide global access to SAF for business aviation. Last year, NetJets, the world’s largest private jet operator, said it would begin buying SAF via Signature Flight Support in San Francisco. Earlier this year, it took a reported 20% stake in WasteFuel, a launch SAF producer.
VistaJet is also bringing into its fleet a dozen Bombardier Global 7500s. The ultra-long-range private jet comes with an environmental product declaration.
Further, it optimizes routes to reduce fuel burn. AI technology enables optimized fleet management, meaning fewer empty leg repositioning flights. It has also asked clients to book flights earlier and consider flying from a nearby airport to cut repositioning between local airports. for example, Miami International Airport and Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport are located nine miles away.
To meet its target, VistaJet outlined 10 different initiatives.
Between now and 2025, VistaJet will look to new technology and innovations to further reduce its GHG footprint. Its goals are in line with the latest available science. The plan is to be the first carbon-neutral business aviation operating company by 2025.
Flohr added, “Since the inception of VistaJet 17 years ago, we have always looked to the future, innovating and driving change within our industry. We have taken on the challenge to establish and promote a more efficient and sustainable way of flying. This is why, together with our partners and clients, we have been developing and adopting best practices and innovative solutions.”
The VistaJet sustainability program will serve as a blueprint for all companies in the Vista Global group and key partners. Vista Global holds a minority interest in operators XOJET Aviation, Red Wing Aviation, and Talon Air. It owns larger charter brokerages XO Global and Apollo Jets, all acquisitions since September 2018.
The announcement covers all direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 and 3) GHG emission sources as defined in the 2019 Greenhouse Gas Accounting Report.
