Canada-based Bombardier Inc. says it has made the biggest sale of business aircraft in its history, potentially worth up to $7.8 billion if all options are exercised.

VistaJet, a private European company that provides luxury chartered flights, has placed firm orders for 56 Bombardier Global jets valued at $3.1 billion and acquired options for a further 86 Global jets.

VistaJet operates a fleet of Bombardier aircraft based in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and West Africa.

VistaJet chairman Thomas Flehr says the purchase is part of VistaJet's goal of making business aviation more accessible to emerging markets.

Steve Ridolfi, the president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, says this is a historic order for Bombardier.

Deliveries will begin in 2014.