The Austrian private jet company which this afternoon opened a new operations office in Malta employing 75 people has struck a €1 billion deal to purchase 40 new bombardier planes which will be registered under the Maltese flag.

The company - VistaJet, specialises in private flying mostly for wealthy people, already has a fleet of 35 planes and prides itself as being “world leader in private aviation”.

Its Swiss founder Thomas Flohr said he has been negotiating the company’s move to Malta for the last year. He praised the government for its commitment in facilitating its entry into the Maltese business environment.

“Malta boasts a solid English-speaking workforce as well as efficient infrastructure backed by a very service-oriented government that is focused on growing the aviation industry presence on the island,” he said.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said it was the government’s intention to attract more investment of this kind to the island.

Most of the employees in Malta are foreigners but a spokesman for the company said that VistaJet will be recruiting more Maltese employees in the coming years.

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