Originally introduced in 1999, the Continental as was then called, was designed with enough range to connect the East and West coasts of the US, in both directions, in comfort.

Unfortunately, the Continental name was short lived. Although it perfectly described the aircraft’s capabilities, it was more of an internal project name rather than the final name, only giving way to the Challenger 300 name once Bombardier decided which of its then product families (LearJet, Challenger or Global) the aircraft fitted into.

Bombardier produced more than 440 Challenger 300s before it was upgraded to the Challenger 350 in 2013. The Challenger 350 improved on the Challenger 300 by strengthening the wing, increasing the size of the cabin windows and modifying the engine performance, all of which increased the range of the Challenger 350 by just over 100 miles.

It’s a Challenger 350 that I’ll be flying on today. Vista America’s fleet also includes a good mix of Challenger 300s and Challenger 350s.

But back to the present day, and 9H-VCB is sat glistening in the afternoon Singapore sun waiting to take me home to Hong Kong. Having arrived the previous day from Phnom Penh, 9H-VCB is one of a number of aircraft that Vista rotates through the region regularly. Rather than permanently base aircraft in each of the regions that it operates in, Vista prefers to rotate all its aircraft types through different regions as and when needed, which helps it maximize utilization. This in turn reduces the downtime of aircraft, and ensures that there’s always an aircraft in the correct region when a client needs to fly. In practice, although the aircraft officially have floating bases, often the smaller types in the fleet spend a long time in the same region.

The Challenger 350 is, in essence, the perfect aircraft type for Asia, as it can reach from one end of the region to the other side, and has a good-sized cabin to keep the passengers onboard happy.

Having been greeted and warmly welcomed by the Captain, First Officer and Flight Attendant at the steps of the aircraft, I stop briefly whilst getting onboard to take a quick snap of the cockpit. I’m immediately taken back to that hot Wichita afternoon 21 years ago and feel the same kick of excitement as I did back then.

Turning right and looking inside the cabin, I’m met with the familiar sight of the Vista cabin. Across all of Vista’s fleet of different aircraft types, the cabins are all designed to look the same, with the only differences being due to different size aircraft. It’s warm, it’s comfortable and I can easily imagine that for regular Vista clients the cabin design feels homely.

The cabin concept was designed in-house by none other than Nina Flohr, the daughter of Vista founder Thomas Flohr. Nina Flohr, or, to give her full title since her marriage in December 2020 to Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark – Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark, had previously been VistaJet’s Creative Director, saying back in 2013 that the cabins on the VistaJet aircraft were all designed not only to look the same no matter what aircraft type, but also to be simple, clean and make an impression

And make an impression it does.

”From the signature silver fuselage with a red stripe, right the way through to the chocolate brown carpet with cream squares running up the aisle, most people can immediately identify a VistaJet aircraft, inside, or out.”

The Challenger 350 is laid out in a classic two-sets of clubs seating, for a total of eight seats, each adorned with a pillow and a blanket, and a bottle of water neatly placed in the cup holder by each seat.

I take my place at the chairman’s seat as quickly as possible. As soon as I do, the smiling flight attendant offers me champagne, which of course I agree to. In front of me the table is half extended, covered in a series of the latest issues of magazines for people with a higher social standing than me. Next to the magazines, and far more interesting, is a bowl of Lindt Lindor Milk Cornet chocolates, which I sneakily hide when the table is stowed for departure.

Although Seletar Airport has a strict night curfew that prohibits arrivals and departures between 22:00 and 07:00, the airport also has several different non movement times for business jets during the day. These are spread out in one-hour segments, primarily to encourage training flights in light aircraft, and indeed a number of smaller, piston engine aircraft call Seletar home, most notably a sizable fleet of Diamond DA40s operated by the Singapore Youth Flying Club.

With one of those non-operation periods rapidly approaching, we start up and take a brisk taxi to the end of runway 21. The flight is taking place just a few days before the Singapore Formula 1, so along with F1 driver’s own private jets, many of the more well-heeled spectators are flying in on their own, or chartered jets. As we are lining up on the runway we glimpse the full view of the airport. Arriving just before us from Mexico via Honolulu was Mexican G650ER XA-AND, whilst parked in the corner of the airport, close to the end of the runway sits F1 driver Max Verstappen’s beautiful Falcon 8X PH-UTL. Incidentally, the UTL part of the registration stands for Unleash The Lion, which is also the name of Verstappen’s yacht.

An unusual anomaly about Seletar airport, and fortunately not an issue to us today, is that the area surrounding the airport is home to a number of Otters. Earlier in the week, during the Asian Business Aviation’s (AsBAA) Singapore Safety Day, Seletar Airport’s then General Manager Ching-Hok Chua told attendees during his last presentation before moving across to the main Changi Airport, that Seletar had installed special equipment to keep out the Otters, even going as far as saying “We hate Otters,” which may, or may not, suggest how much of an issue they really are.

But today there’s no time for plane or Otter spotting as the curfew is rapidly approaching, so as soon as we are lined up on Seletar’s runway 21 the captain releases the brakes, and we shoot up into the ever-darkening sky. After a nimble climb to 1,100 feet, we initiate a tight right turn to stay within Seletar’s Control Zone before straightening up and passing into Malaysian air space. The turn is tight, affording us a great view of the airport as we pass it again at 3,000 feet.

Seletar Airport sits in an unusual position, being close to the border with neighboring Malaysia, as well as being close to several of Singapore’s Air Force bases. A standard runway 21 departure means avoiding all other control zones, so whilst a tight right turn straight after departure might seem unusual to some, it’s standard procedure for all aircraft flying out of the airport.

Soon, we are speeding up the Eastern coast of Malaysia, reaching 30,000 feet before a slight course change direct to Hong Kong and climbing up 40,000 feet.

In the cabin, everything is calm and quiet. After a long and tiring week in the alternating blazing hot sun and predictable afternoon downpour of rain, the initial excitement of the flight starts to calm down, and my travel companions and I begin to make ourselves comfortable and start to think about sleeping. Although the flight is full, the aircraft is still unquestionably comfortable, with the ever-smiling flight attendant offering pillows and blankets to anybody that wants them. 

Sleep is the last thing on my mind though. The next day I’d have to get up early to get back to the airport to fly again, so instead of trying to sleep, I ate another of the chocolates that I’d sneakily hidden earlier. However, it seems I wasn’t as sneaky as I thought, as the flight attendant noticed this, and quickly asked if I’d like to eat.

By now it was around 19:15 and we were grazing the coast of Vietnam, which is my food heaven, so I agree, and the flight attendant swiftly and neatly pulls out the table next to me, setting it beautifully with a white cloth and cutlery. I’m also offered more champagne, but politely decline and opt for a Cappuccino instead, as I can already feel myself fighting the urge to sleep.

A short while later the coffee arrives, followed by a light meal, which mixes food from our departure city with that from our arrival city. It’s a nice touch, effectively paying homage to both Singapore and Hong Kong. Our nod to Singapore is of course Satay, with several skewers of surprisingly tender and juicy chicken and pork that could be dipped into a deliciously decadent satay sauce. I won’t lie, satay is one of my favorite foods, and as much as I’d love to tell you that I elegantly consumed each and every skewer, the truth is that I scoffed it all as quickly as I could. I then used the remainder of the satay sauce as a dipping sauce for the delicate dim sum items that were laid out in front of me. Then, as there was some satay sauce remining, I checked that nobody was looking, then ever so quietly unwrapped one of the Lindt Lindor Milk Cornet chocolates that I’d been hiding, covered it in satay sauce, and popped it in my mouth. It might not have been demure, it might not have been elegant, but it was – and I stand by this, absolutely delicious. 

With all of the food finished, our flight attendant magically reappeared and quickly cleared the table. Offering me another drink, I say yes to another cappuccino, which arrives swiftly along with an assortment of beautiful looking cookies supplied by Shophouse, the delicious bakery on the lobby level of Singapore’s Shangri-La hotel. I chose one of the chocolate chip cookies, which although is as big as my hand and I’m totally full, I still devour with fervent excitement.

Sitting back, coffee in hand, I connect to the onboard Wi-Fi. It’s surprisingly fast, like, really really fast. Even when I’m flicking through Instagram reels, and uploading quite frankly unnecessary pics and videos to IG, it never stutters, never slows down. So I check out our flight progress. Even though I can see on the monitors that we are rapidly approaching Hong Kong, I still want to see where we are, or, to be a bit more specific, I want to see what other traffic is around us and what runway we will be landing on. So I fire up the trusty FlightRadar24 app. For some reason, it shows our flight as being from Singapore to Jakarta, although this is changed as soon as we land in Hong Kong. 

In front of us is an Air China A350, out of Singapore’s Changi Airport heading to Shanghai. Maybe we could have caught it, but we have already begun our decent and started slowing down to join the rest of the evening traffic into Hong Kong.

Another quick check on FR24 shows that we will be landing from the West, over the sea, and soon enough we begin a series of turns to line us up with one of the runways.

I say one of the runways, as it was unclear which of the north, center or south runways we would be landing on. By rights we should have landed on the south runway and had a short taxi directly to the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC), but as the lights of Macau slowly appeared in the distance, it became painfully obvious that we would be landing on the dreaded northern runway. Whilst you might argue that a runway is a runway, landing on the northern runway would mean a lengthy taxi around the airport before we could finally say goodbye to the Challenger 350.

Nonetheless, we eventually touch down shortly after a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 freighter from Sydney, another aircraft that, by rights, should have been able to use the southern runway. 

The taxi across the airfield to the HKBAC is brisk this evening, as we don’t have to wait to cross the center or southern runways, so around 10 minutes after touching down, we are stepping off the aircraft and whisked into the new HKBAC terminal.

The taxi across the airfield to the HKBAC is brisk this evening, as we don’t have to wait to cross the center or southern runways, so around 10 minutes after touching down, we are stepping off the aircraft and whisked into the new HKBAC terminal.

It’s my first time using the new HKBAC terminal, as it had just opened a month prior to my visit. Part of a wider expansion that’s due to be completed in 2026, the first phase saw the introduction of a new 26-meter canopy that aircraft can park under to disperse their passengers directly into the newly upgraded Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities. They say arrival can be done in less than three minutes, but today it takes a little longer as the HKBAC staff are waiting for our arrival, gift bag in hand. The flight took place in the same week as China’s Mid-Autumn festival, so HKBAC had thoughtfully prepared some cookies for all of the passengers, complete with personalized handwritten notes wishing us a happy holiday. 

Fast forward 14 hours and I’m back at the airport, uncomfortably cramped at the back of a Cathay Pacific A321neo on my way to Bangkok. There’s no peace, there’s no calm, there’s no space. The stranger sitting next to me is already encroaching into my space, and I have an internal wager with myself that they will be asleep on my shoulder within the next 30 minutes.

Although I’ve been very vocal in my distaste for Cathay Pacific using smaller A321neo’s on the flights I often take, from an economic point of view it makes sense. The Hong Kong to Bangkok route is not only flown multiple times a day by Cathay, but it’s also flown many times a day by a number of other airlines. Often there’s no need for Cathay to use a large gas guzzling A330 or regional 777-300 on this route, and I’m also struggling to believe that there’s enough passengers to fill one of those aircraft for a f light from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City at 22:30 at night.

So Cathay has done what any sensible airline would do, they simply ensured that the aircraft type they used on a route is appropriate for it, in much the same way as the Vista Challenger 350s are the appropriate aircraft for much of the routes around Asia.

Sure, it’s nice to be in the back (or front) of a Global 7500, but is it really needed for a three-hour flight? Maybe if you have a huge entourage and a whole shop’s worth of luggage or shopping, but for one, two or even six people, the Challenger 350 just makes sense.

And in this day and age of shaming people for their unnecessary emissions, wouldn’t it be better to take the right sized aircraft which burns through half the fuel every hour?

This report examines charter search activity on Avinode across three key regions — Europe, North America, and Asia. By exploring the most sought-after routes, departure points, preferred aircraft types, and lead time trends, we tried to provide valuable insight into what charter clients across different regions are looking for.

Note:

1. Date range is 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025.

2. APAC is defined as East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The top three routes of the most searched charter routes within the Asia-Pacific region were all domestic: Bangkok–Ko Samui (1.7%) and Bangkok–Phuket (1.5%) in Thailand, reflecting Thailand’s strong appeal as a leisure destination, while Melbourne–Sydney (1.5%) ranked third.

Singapore appeared as a pivotal aviation hub, serving as the departure or arrival point for six of the top 15 routes across East Asia and Southeast Asia. Tokyo was another key hub, appearing in five of the top routes, including two domestic and three international links.

In searches to, from and within the Asia-Pacific region, Bangkok–Ko Samui (0.8%) also led the list. Notably, long-haul connections from the Middle East featured prominently, with Dubai appearing in four of the top 15 routes: Dubai–Singapore (0.6%) ranked fifth, followed by Dubai–Phuket (0.5%), Bangkok–Dubai (0.5%), and Dubai–Tokyo (0.4%) – these figures highlight Dubai’s increasing importance as a bridge between Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.

EUROPEAN BROKERS

European broker search activity in APAC was centered around major regional hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong. This reflects both business travel and leisure charter patterns. These hubs serve as gateways for European high-networth individuals seeking luxury travel to Southeast Asia’s top destinations. Additionally, routes such as Dubai–Singapore reinforce the role of the Middle East as a strategic link in European APAC travel itineraries.

US & CANADIAN BROKERS

North American brokers showed strong preference for charter flights connecting to Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. These destinations reflect a mix of business and leisure activity. Of particular note is the inclusion of Tahiti as a top destination — indicating a strong appetite for high-end remote leisure travel among U.S. and Canadian clients.

ASIAN BROKERS

Searches from Asian brokers exhibited a slightly different trend. Demand clustered around major regional key metropolitan hubs, with Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo accounting for 32% of all departures. These locations are not only top charter markets but also home to the largest APAC-based fleets – Greater China, Japan, and Singapore together contribute 29.1% of the region’s aircraft.

The charts show the Top 5 aircraft categories searched for travel from Asia-Pacific departure points, as well as a breakdown of preferences from European, US & Canadian, and Asian brokers.

Ultra long range (23%, e.g., G650, Global 7500) and heavy jets (19%, e.g., Challenger, Legacy 600) dominated the Asia-Pacific charter market. The ultra long range aircraft supported intercontinental missions to the Middle East, Europe and North America, while heavy jets were preferred for longer regional flights to provide space and comfort.

Asian clients often prefer larger aircraft even for intra-Asia travel, valuing the comfort and prestige they offer. At the same time, turboprops and light jets remained significant, reflecting demand from European and North American brokers who replicate their home-market travel patterns in Asia-Pacific. As Avinode notes, “Asian clients often want heavier aircraft for travel within Asia, but lighter aircraft are desired too – driven by clients familiar with smaller cabin sizes in their home markets.”

The table above shows the days in advance between search and flight departure. Analyzing this data provides insight into the booking behavior and decision-making patterns of business jet charter customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Avinode data showed that 36% of charter searches in the AsiaPacific region are made more than 31 days before departure — higher than in the U.S. or Europe — reflecting strong planning behavior linked to major events, conferences, and holiday travel. In these cases, operators/brokers are often expected to act as consultants, offering aircraft comparisons, route advice, and tailored service packages. In contrast, 35% of searches occur within seven days of departure, indicating high levels of urgent, last-minute demand driven by sudden business needs or spontaneous premium travel.

This dual behavior suggested two distinct customer profiles: the planners and the impulse travelers. As Avinode notes, “For the operator that can navigate short-notice arrangements, there is lots of demand to win.”

To effectively serve both leisure-driven and urgent business travel in the Asia-Pacific region, charter operators and brokers should offer flexible solutions that match each unique request. Given the fact that many of the top routes are short hops, positioning lighter aircraft in key hubs like Singapore and Bangkok enables operators to cater to regional demand while aligning with client preferences from different markets. At the same time, ultra-long-range jets are essential for meeting the increasing intercontinental charter activity that connects Asia with the rest of the world. Additionally, Given the strong search activity from European and North American brokers, maintaining a robust digital presence is increasingly important for operators looking to capture and convert this interest.

Some 19 new-build aircraft were delivered to the Asia-Pacific region as charter aircraft, while 70 pre-owned aircraft joined the fleet. Additionally, there were 25 aircraft sold to other regions, as well as 16 aircraft stored or retired. Overall, the market demand in business jet charter rose between June 2023 and June 2025, especially in South Asia.

In June 2025, the number of private jets available for charter in the Asia-Pacific region increased by 18.8% compared with June 2023. Notably, all size categories experienced growth except for Corporate Airliners. The most significant increases were observed in Medium Jets and Very Light Jets, which expanded by 45.6% and 59.4% respectively, reflecting the emerging demand for both medium-haul and short-haul flight routes.

Long Range Jets remained the preferred category for AsiaPacific operators. Among them, the Gulfstream G650ER and G550 stood out as the top chartered models, with 20 and 18 aircraft in operation, respectively. Bombardier’s Global Express series followed closely behind as another highly sought-after option. This category saw growth, with charter fleet numbers increasing by ten compared to 2023. New Loong Airlines, founded in June 2024 by Nanshan Holdings, introduced three Gulfstreams into its management and charter fleet, including the first G500 and G700 delivered to mainland China.

Large Jet and Light Jet ranked as the second and third most popular categories for private jet charters, respectively. This demand reflected the charter needs between long-haul and costeffective travel. The Large Jet fleet in the Asia-Pacific region grew from 77 to 91 aircraft over the past two years, with the most significant expansion occurring in its largest market, India, where the Large Jet fleet expanded from 22 to 36 aircraft. The number of Light Jets in charter operation experienced a minor increase from 85 to 86 aircraft. This size category remained particularly popular in the Australian charter market, where Light Jets were also frequently deployed for medical charter missions. Notably, Pilatus’ PC-24 and Bombardier’s Learjet were among the most frequently employed Light Jets for regional patient transfers and medical staff transport. Embraer’s Legacy 600/650 series and Textron’s Citation series stood out as the most widely offered models among Large Jet and Light Jet categories.

Medium Jets represented 19.3% of the Asia-Pacific private jet charter market. These aircraft were capable of direct flights between major Asia-Pacific cities, including routes such as Mumbai–New Delhi and Sydney–Melbourne, making them ideal for business and short-haul travel. As of June 2025, a total of 83 Medium Jets were available for charter across the Asia-Pacific region. Within this size category, the Textron Citation 560XL, G100/G150, and Hawker 800/XP were the most popular models, with 13, 12 and 12 aircraft in operation, respectively.

Very Light Jets and Corporate Airliners occupied relatively small segments of the Asia-Pacific private jet charter market, accounting for 11.9% and 4.0% of total capacity, respectively. The Citation Mustang led the Very Light Jet segment with 20 aircraft, predominantly operated by charter providers from Australia and New Zealand, reflecting strong regional demand for short-haul, flexible point-to-point travel.

Corporate Airliners continued to serve as the preferred choice for government operations and large corporate groups, where seating capacity and comprehensive onboard facilities are critical. The Bombardier CRJ 100/200 series was the most widely utilized, with f ive managed by Chinese charter operators. As of June 30, 2025, there were 17 Corporate Airliners operating in Asia-Pacific for charter, representing a decrease of two aircraft compared with 2023.

Textron remained the largest OEM in the Asia-Pacific charter fleet, holding a market share of 30.9% as of mid-2025. Its Citation series continued to be the most popular charter model, particularly in India and Australia, where demand for Light and Medium size business jets has been consistently strong.

Bombardier experienced a modest increase in its Asia-Pacificbased charter fleet between mid-2023 and mid-2025, adding two aircraft, bringing its total fleet in the region to 103. During the period, two brand-new Bombardier Global jets entered the charter fleets in India and Malaysia, reflecting steady demand for longhaul business travel. Meanwhile, India and Indonesia emerged as the largest markets for Embraer’s Large Jets. Since June 2023, these two countries have seen 34 pre-owned Embraer aircraft added to their charter fleets. The average age of Embraer Large Jets in India and Indonesia exceeded 15 years old, slightly higher than the Asia-Pacific regional average.

Gulfstream’s charter fleet expanded from 57 aircraft at the end of June 2023 to 82 by mid-2025, representing a 43.9% growth rate. Some aircraft owners transition their jets from managed arrangements into charter operations, allowing operators to better align their fleets with the region’s growing demand for long-range travel, while also enhancing overall aircraft utilization.

Pilatus’ “super versatile jet” — the PC-24 — saw its charter fleet in the Asia-Pacific region grow from seven aircraft at the end of June 2023 to 15 by mid-2025. One of India’s largest charter operators, Karnavati Aviation under the Adani Group, acquired four brand new PC-24s during the past two years, serving short-range charter routes between India’s major cities.

At the country and regional level, charter fleet compositions across Asia-Pacific showed regional preferences. India, Australia, and mainland China — the region’s three largest charter markets — each favored different aircraft categories. In India, Large and Medium Jets together made up 57.9% of the charter fleet, offering both the connection between major Indian cities and the cabin comfort sought by ultra-high-net-worth and corporate clients. Australia, in contrast, showed a preference for Light and Very Light Jets, reflecting its extensive network of small airports and high demand for short-haul flights. Mainland China demonstrated stronger demand for Long Range Jets, supporting cross-border travel. Similarly, Japan relied predominantly on Long Range Jet charter services for intercontinental flights, which accounted for 32.4% of its charter fleet, while its locally preferred Light Jets and Very Light Jets made up 55.9% of the local charter market to support domestic flight demands.

Compared with privately owned business jets, charter aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region tend to be older, though most would undergo regular cabin refurbishments to ensure consistent customer experience. As of the end of June 2025, the average age of the charter fleet in the region stood at 15.9 years. New Zealand and Australia recorded the oldest fleets, with average ages of 22 years and 19 years, respectively. In India — the country with the largest charter fleet — more than half of the aircraft were more than 15 years old, while 16.0% were less than five years old. Among all size categories, Long Range Jets had the youngest charter fleet, averaging nine years, with 31.1% of the fleet under five years old.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Macau during the evening of Saturday November 8, 2025, the annual Icons of Aviation awards honors excellence across the industry, with the awards voted for by AsBAA’s member companies.

ASG’s first award of the night came in the prestigious ‘Best Aircraft Broker’ category, which recognizes professional excellence with aircraft transactions. As the first International Aircraft Dealer Association (IADA) accredited broker with its headquarters in Asia, the award signifies the dedication, commitment and achievement of ASG’s Transaction Team across the region.

“We are tremendously grateful for this vote of confidence and for the industry’s recognition of the leaps and strides Asian Sky Group has been making over the years.” Said Nadav Kessler, Managing Director, Asian Sky Group. “We will continue to improve and hope to bring more value to our clients and partners. And above all, we hope to have a meaningful impact on accelerating the region’s business aviation development and growth.”

ASG’s second award of the night came in the fiercely competitive ‘Best Business Service Provider’ category, which honors excellence in support services that are critical to the operations of the business aviation sector. The award, won by ASG for the second year in a row, is viewed as one of the most valued awards of the year, and recognizes ASG’s multifaceted business aviation service offerings, ranging across various aviation transaction and consultancy services, charter brokerage, market research and media services.

Asian Sky Group rounded off its historic night by winning the ‘Best Media’ award, which it has now won for seven years in a row.

“Winning one award is a great achievement, but winning three awards in these three categories validates the excellent work that Asian Sky Group does across different sectors in the industry, as well as the expertise, dedication and commitment of every member of the ASG team. I want to truly thank all of those who supported us,” Said Kessler. “It means the world to us and will certainly motivate us to continue reaching higher.”

ABOUT ASIAN SKY GROUP:
ASIAN SKY GROUP (ASG), established in 2011, is headquartered in Hong Kong with offices throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a wide-range of business and general aviation services, including sales and acquisitions of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, charter services, market research & extensive business aviation consulting services on a global basis.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Alud Davies
Media & Publications Director
Email: alud@asianskygroup.com

Asian Sky Group (ASG) is excited to announce the appointment of Manuel Silva as Charter Services Manager.

Silva has more than five years of experience in aviation business development, strategic account management, and aviation operations across Asia. Silva began his aviation career at Consorcio Aviation, where he honed his skills and gained valuable insight into the industry. Following this, he gained several more years of experience serving as a Charter Operations and Customer Service Manager. Fluent in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, he brings a global perspective to his role.

“Manuel is joining Asian Sky Group at an important time, as the company’s charter services activity and volume nearly doubled year-over-year. We are building new capabilities and expanding the variety of unique charter solutions we can offer.” said Nadav Kessler, Managing Director, Asian Sky Group. “Manuel has already demonstrated responsibility, skill, attention to detail and client-focused dedication. I am sure he will contribute to the continued development of the company’s charter services, and I hope he will quickly learn and appreciate what can be achieved with the right team and the right resources.”

“Joining Asian Sky Group is an exciting opportunity, and I am eager to contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional charter services,” said Silva. “My aim is to enhance our offerings to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our clients in this dynamic industry.”

ASG has established itself as a leader in the aviation sector, known for its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a mission to provide tailored solutions, ASG has garnered a reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction. Silva’s appointment aligns seamlessly with ASG’s strategic goals to expand its market presence and enhance service quality. His broad experience in charter operations addresses key challenges in the industry, such as increasing client expectations and the need for innovative solutions. ASG’s Charter Services department is set to launch several new initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and client satisfaction.

The aviation industry is experiencing notable trends, including growing demand for private travel in Asia-Pacific, with the number of jets available for charter increasing from 362 at the end of June 2023 to 430 by the end of June 2025, a 18.8% rise. Silva’s expertise will be crucial in continuing to position ASG as a forward-thinking player in the market. The appointment of Silva marks a significant milestone for ASG as it continues to evolve and adapt in the competitive aviation landscape.

ABOUT ASIAN SKY GROUP:
ASIAN SKY GROUP (ASG), established in 2011, is headquartered in Hong Kong with offices throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a wide-range of business and general aviation services, including sales and acquisitions of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, charter services, market research & extensive business aviation consulting services on a global basis.
 
MEDIA CONTACT: 
Alud Davies
Media & Publications Director
Email: alud@asianskygroup.com

当我们的《先进空中交通》系列报告迎来第五期时，这个行业正站在理想与现实的交汇处：一边是政策的东风与资本的瞩目，另一边则是适航取证的漫漫长路与商业化落地的重重挑战。

eVTOL 的研发之路，无疑是一场长期主义的征程。技术的积累需要一步一个脚印，绝无捷径可走。

正如本报告所详述，尽管全球公开的 eVTOL 型号设计已超 1140 款，中国布局该领域的企业也已突破 70 家，但历史的经验告诉我们，最终能走完严苛的适航认证、把可靠产品推向市场的，必然是凤毛麟角。
这是一个大浪淘沙的过程，任何在市场化进程中的重大失误，都可能对尚在襁褓中的整个行业造成难以估量的信任损害。

我们必须认识到，新兴产业的成长必然伴随质疑。当前，eVTOL 在安全设计、成本控制、基础设施乃至公众接受度上，仍面临重重挑战。

例如，亿航智能为其 EH216-S 的认证完成了超过 4 万架次的安全试飞；而另一项有意思的数据是，国内一款 5 座级 eVTOL 从研发到取齐 CAAC “三证”的总成本约需 10-12 亿元人民币。

这背后是难以想象的投入与坚持，也印证了“航空级”标准绝非“车载级”产业链可以轻易满足。

在当前这一关键阶段，盲目乐观是最大的风险。唯有脚踏实地，正视并合力解决供应链、人才缺口、运维体系等不足，整个行业才能在风雨中茁壮成长。

我们坚信，这股跨越“概念”与“应用”鸿沟的坚定力量，正来自于在座的每一位——潜心研发的制造商、谨慎研判的投资者、积极施策的政府官员以及每一位行业同行者。

前路虽远，行则将至。eVTOL 的真正价值，不在于它能飞得多快多远，而在于它能否安全、可靠、经济地融入我们的日常生活，从图纸上的梦想，变为天空中的日常。

对此，我们怀抱审慎的乐观与坚定的信心。

最后，我谨代表《先进空中交通2025》编写组，向为本报告提供了宝贵洞察与数据的各家 eVTOL 整机厂家、供应链伙伴及行业专家，致以最诚挚的感谢。

是你们的真知灼见，让这份记录行业脉动的报告得以成形。

您诚挚的，
伍家煜
董事
亚飞太平洋有限公司

Founded in 2010, Fastransit quickly became a leading provider of business aviation services in mainland China. Initially established due to increasing opportunities in business aviation in the country, the company began with a small team in Beijing. However, in the past 15 years since the company began operations, Fastransit has grown significantly, and now boasts more than 20 branches across mainland China.

The company’s mission has evolved from providing business jet handling services to becoming a trusted partner in the aviation industry. Key milestones include the expansion of service offerings to general aviation, VIP flights, private charter flights, medical transportation, as well as the establishment of a robust operations team. This, the company says, serves as a testament to Fastransit’s recognition in 2016 as “The Best Ground Service Agency of the Year” at the China Business Aviation “Golden Wings” Awards.

The company currently provides services at more than 20 major airports across mainland China, including key hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, but also includes the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, where Fastransit has a key edge: it can independently apply for approval slots and negotiate aircraft parking fees. Fastransit’s service offerings include China landing permits and ground support for foreign business jets and general aviation for both domestic and international flights.

The company has plans to expand its service coverage by strengthening its presence in key regions as demand for business aviation continues to rise. This strategic growth is driven by the increasing number of business jet movements in mainland China and the surrounding Asia-Pacific region. According to Asian Sky Group’s Business Jet Fleet Report YE 2024, there were 249 business jets based in mainland China, with the total fleet size seeing 1.2% growth.

The company also recently introduced a new Meet and Greet service designed specifically for civil flights at Chinese airports. The service simplifies the travel experience by providing personalized assistance from arrival to departure. Passengers can book the service in advance, and a dedicated greeter will be waiting at the airport to guide them through immigration, luggage collection, and other procedures.

Fastransit says that the Meet and Greet service enhances the travel experience by reducing the stress often associated with navigating busy airports. With the ability to bypass long lines and access VIP lounges, the service ensures that passengers can focus on enjoying their journey and not have to worry about the logistics.

”As the demand for business aviation continues to grow in China, Fastransit is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities, particularly in enhancing its service offerings and expanding its operational reach.”

One area the company aims to expand into is its charter brokerage, with the company stating it already receives many client requests to charter aircraft. Whilst Fastransit acknowledges that this business segment is separate from its core handling operations, it emphasizes that it aims to build on the trust established with clients over the years.

As Fastransit approaches its 15th anniversary, further plans are underway. The company is ramping up its social media presence, aiming to connect with a wider audience as well as the younger generation, to share insights about the business aviation industry. Fastransit has laid out a multi-platform social media plan, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Chinese social media platform RedNote, which it hopes will attract more of the younger generation to not only use Fastransit’s current services, but also to think about business aviation as a serious career opportunity.

“For 15 years, we have never stopped moving forward, remaining passionately rooted in the business aviation industry. From cutting-edge international exhibitions to professional events that bring peers together, every appearance serves as an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the world,” says the company.

“We have journeyed across mountains and seas with our core services, honed over years of refinement, and meticulously demonstrated to global clients the warmth and strength of our solutions. Through each interaction, we have also quietly planted the brand hallmark of ‘professionalism and reliability’ in the minds of more partners.”

As the company reflects on its achievements and looks to the future, it remains committed to elevating clients’ travel experiences—whether they’re flying privately or on commercial flights. Bolstered by innovative services like its Meet and Greet program and a strategic focus on expanding operations, Fastransit is well-positioned to navigate the evolving aviation landscape. With a vision centered on client relationships and personalized service, the company is set to thrive for years to come.

The third annual Asian Sky Forum, held in Bangkok, Thailand, proved again to be a pivotal event for the business aviation sector, bringing together more than 300 industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region. Held from June 24 to 26, 2025, the forum featured a packed agenda filled with two days of insightful discussions and panels, as well as three days of networking and evening drinks.

The panels featured discussions on the significant growth potential in Indochina, the rising popularity of offshore registries, the challenges and opportunities for charter companies in the region, and more. The key moment of the event was a fireside chat with the visionary of Thai business aviation, William Heinecke, founder of MJets. With nearly 60 years of experience, Heinecke shared his entrepreneurial journey and discussed the evolution of business aviation in Thailand.

Read the full article: www.asianskygroup.com/a-look-back-at-the-asian-sky-forum-2025-in-bangkok/

Alud Davies Joins AsBAA BoG

Asian Sky Group (ASG), Asia-Pacific’s premier aircraft transactions, charter, and market intelligence company, announced that Alud Davies has joined the Asian Business Aviation Association’s (AsBAA) Board of Governors (BoG).

In his role at ASG, Alud oversees the media operations and is responsible for all editorial and research in ASG’s award-winning industry reports, as well as marketing and the company’s highly successful Asian Sky Forums.

“It’s a great honour to join the Board of Governors of the Asian Business Aviation Association. Asia has, and always will be, one of the most dynamic and fascinating regions of the world for business aviation, and I look forward greatly to being a part of its continuing growth,” said Alud.

Read the full article: www.asianskygroup.com/alud-davies-joins-asbaa-bog/

Web Manuals Sizes Up in Sydney

Web Manuals is celebrating a milestone with the opening of a larger office in Sydney Australia. The company has grown by more than 250 customers worldwide, with more than half of those operating in Oceania since the launch of Web Manuals’ first entity in Sydney. As of June 2025, Web Manuals’ total global client base is 728 and supports 94,000 users worldwide, whilst managing more than 700,000 manuals.

Emil Ahlgren, Director of Operations – APAC, Web Manuals, says, “Our growing customer community in Oceania speaks volumes about the demand for digitalization, automation, and innovation in the region. Our strengthened presence in Australia will ensure we continue to support local customers and help them get the most out of Web Manuals’ solutions.”

ExecuJet Haite and Shanghai Starjet Sign Strategic Agreement

ExecuJet Haite and Starjet formally signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement on June 17, 2025, aimed at enhancing service offerings in the Chinese business aviation sector. This marks a significant collaboration between two leading companies.

The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction within China’s rapidly evolving business aviation landscape. The two companies will engage in comprehensive, in-depth collaboration across aircraft management, Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO), 24/7 technical support, global operational support, and premium value-added services for clients.

Both companies share a vision for the growth and high-quality development of this sector, promising to create value for both companies and their customers.

Flexjet Receives USD 800M Investment from LVMH-Led Consortium

Flexjet has secured an investment of USD 800 million in equity from a group of investors led by L Catterton, the consumer-focused private equity firm affiliated with French conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).

The funding will support the private aviation provider’s growth strategy, which includes responding to demand for larger aircraft, terminal infrastructure, and curated luxury travel experiences, as well as brand partnerships and collaborations.

The investor group also includes affiliates of KSL Capital Partners and the J. Safra Group. Existing shareholders and Flexjet management will maintain control, while the new partners are positioned to enhance the company’s presence in the upscale travel, hospitality, and financial sectors.

Phenix Jet Cayman Enhances Asia-Pacific Leadership with New Appointment

Phenix Jet Cayman has announced the appointment of Phillipp Kugelmann as Vice President – Sales and Business Development, Southeast Asia, effective June 12, 2025. Based in Singapore, Kugelmann will oversee all commercial operations and strategic growth initiatives across the region, reinforcing the company’s commitment to excellence in the ultra-competitive Asian market. Moreover, in his new role, Kugelmann will lead the expansion of the charter, management, and acquisition services in key markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Australia.

“Phenix Jet Cayman has established a benchmark for luxury, safety, and reliability in private aviation,” Mr. Kugelmann stated. “I am excited to continue this legacy by providing tailored solutions that cater to the evolving demands of Asia’s most discerning travellers.”

Read the full article: https://www.asianskygroup.com/phenix-jet-cayman-strengthens-asia-pacific-leadership-with-appointment-of-philipp-kugelmann

Titan Aviation Expands Into Malaysia

Titan Aviation, a leading name in aircraft management and private jet chartering, has officially commenced operations in Malaysia. With headquarters in the United States and Dubai, the company aims to bring its renowned operational excellence and safety standards to aircraft owners and high-net-worth individuals in need of private aviation services.

Established in 2004, the company manages a diverse fleet of over 30 aircraft worldwide. The company’s entry into Malaysia aligns with the growing demand for dependable and transparent partners in aircraft management and chartering services, particularly in a region poised for significant aviation growth.

“Malaysia is a critical gateway in Southeast Asianot just geographically, but in terms of demand for bespoke, trustworthy private aviation services. Our presence here allows us to support aircraft owners, charter clients, and business travellers with unmatched responsiveness, technical depth, and operational transparency,” said Capt. Sakeer Sheik, Managing Director, Titan Aviation.

Metrojet Engineering Clark Receives Maintenance Approval Certificate

Metrojet Engineering Clark (MEC) has received a maintenance approval certificate from the Guernsey’s Director of Civil Aviation (DCA). The company, a major business aviation MRO services provider in the Asia-Pacific region, operates a 76,000 square foot repair station at Clark International Airport.

According to MEC, this significant accreditation acknowledges the company’s ongoing commitment to adhering to the strict standards required to support aircraft registered under the 2-reg registry. The certificate not only affirms technical capabilities but also reinforces its dedication to delivering dependable and highquality services to its valued clientele.

“This achievement reflects the hard work and professionalism of our team and serves as a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to uphold the highest standards of safety, transparency, and service excellence,” said Rudgen Guzman, General Manager, MEC.

Q2 2025 Survey Highlights

1. In Q2 2025, optimism levels in the survey rebounded to 76.4% after hitting a low point in the previous quarter. Greater China also recorded a notable recovery.
2. Half of respondents (50.0%) reported increased aircraft utilization during the quarter, while 22.1% saw a decrease and 27.9% reported no change.
3. Purchase intentions reached their highest level in the past 12 months, with 64.7% expressing plans to acquire aircraft within the next year. Of these, 31.8% preferred new aircraft and 32.9% favored pre-owned models.
4. Regarding the pre-owned market, 39.3% of respondents viewed it as relatively balanced, 25.0% considered it a buyer’s market, and only 3.6% perceived it as a seller’s market.
5. Short-term charter demand weakened, with 42.6% intending to charter in the next three months, down from 58.1% in the previous quarter.

In Asian Sky Group’s Q2 2025 survey on the industry’s mood and intentions, we received more than 200 responses from business aviation professionals.

1. Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia (47.3%)
2. Greater China, mainly covering mainland China and Hong Kong SAR (17.0%)
3. Oceania (10.7%)
4. South Asia (6.3%)
5. Middle East and North Africa (0.9%)

More than half (52.7%) of respondents were from business jet related companies, with the remainder mainly involved in business turboprops (23.0%) and turbine helicopters (20.0%).

Respondents represented a variety of business sectors: 29.4% were from aircraft operators or management companies, 32.9% from aircraft sales or charter brokerages, and 27.1% from service providers.

To read the full article, please download our Asian Sky Quarterly Q2 2025 Report.

The Gulfstream G550 is based on the Gulfstream GV and are both proven in the large cabin, long range business jet market with almost 800 total deliveries. The original GV, based on the smaller GIV with larger wings and new Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, was launched in 1992 to compete with the Bombardier Global Express, and just under 200 GVs were delivered by the time production transitioned to the new G550 in 2003. At the time, the GV was the longest range business jet in service.

The first production G550 first flew in 2002 and received US FAA certification in August 2003 with first delivery in September 2003. The certification designation for the G550 is the GV-SP. The G550 featured Gulfstream’s PlaneView cockpit, headup guidance system and enhanced vision system as standard, as well as other avionics upgrades compared to the GV. Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) was increased by 500lb (230 kg) and range was increased by 250 nm (460 km) over the GV. It is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710 engines, with a higher thrust rating compared to the GV. The G550’s stand-up cabin can accommodate up to a maximum of 19 passengers but typically seats 13 to 16 passengers. Forward or aft galley options are available. Until the arrival of the G650, the G550 had the longest range of any business jet at 6,750 nm (12,500 km).

Data Source: Gulfstream, AMSTAT, Conklin & de Decker, ASG Note: Using Conklin de Decker data under the assumption of 400 flight hours per year. The number of total aircraft in operation are from AMSTAT and ASG, which might differ from Gulfstream’s official numbers.

Data Source: AMSTAT

Apart from corporate and executive users, the G550 is also popular as a government/head of state aircraft, and is also used by numerous air forces around the world in the transport and reconnaissance roles.

The G550 sits at the high end of the large cabin, long range business jet category, and its main competitors are the Dassault Falcon 7X/8X and the Bombardier Global family. The G550 features the longest range among these aircraft, although the competing Global family has up to 28% more cabin volume and a higher MTOW.

The Gulfstream G650 entered service in December 2012 to become Gulfstream’s flagship business jet. While it is not strictly a G550 replacement, users upgraded from the G550 to the G650 to take advantage of its longer range and larger cabin. The G550 and G650 together remained in production for almost nine years before the final Gulfstream G550 was handed over in 2021, concluding almost 25 years of GV/G550 production.

Gulfstream launched two clean-sheet designs in 2014 – the G500 and G600. These feature a new, optimized wing and a wider cabin than the G550, including cabin styling and features from the G650. The G500 and G600 are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and has fly-by-wire controls, also featured on the G650. On paper, the G600 is the closest G550 replacement, with a similar MTOW, cabin volume but a shorter range of 6,500 nm.

Data Source: AMSTAT & ASG

There were 617 Gulfstream G550s in service worldwide at the end of Q2 2025, with two-thirds of the fleet based in North America. The Asia-Pacific based fleet comprised 69 aircraft, with 59 in Europe, 41 in Latin America and Caribbean, 15 in the Middle East and nine in Africa. Mainland China had the largest fleet of based G550s in Asia-Pacific with 26 aircraft, followed by Hong Kong with 11, Singapore with eight, and Philippines with six. The G550 was the leading long range business jet in mainland China for a number of years, but has been superseded by newer types, in particular the G650 series.

G550 availability has fluctuated over the past few years but has increased overall. There were 36 pre owned G550s listed as available for sale at the end of Q2 2025, which was similar year-on-year. Availability peaked in November 2024 with 48 aircraft and reduced to 28 in April 2025 – the lowest availability since February 2023. With a reduction in the number of transactions in Q2 and more aircraft coming onto the pre-owned market, availability increased by almost 30% during Q2 2025. In terms of percentage of fleet available for sale, the 36 G550s listed at the end of Q2 2025 represented a 5.8% of the active fleet, down from a maximum of 7.8% in November 2024. An overall increase in availability is expected to continue as older aircraft are released into the pre-owned market. The age profile of G550s currently on the market shows more than 65% were built between 2003 and 2010.

With an overall trend of increasing availability, the average days on market for the G550 has almost doubled compared to Q2 2022, and average asking prices have reduced by some 18% during the same period. Sample asking prices of G550s currently on the market range from USD 11.495 million for a 2008 model with over 14,000 hours total to USD 27.75 million for 2016 model with around 3,600 hours total time. As expected with the regional distribution of the fleet, almost three-quarters of pre-owned G550s for sale are based in North America.

Data Source: ASG Business Jet Fleet Report YE 2024

While the G550 has been superseded by newer aircraft with longer range, more cabin space and configuration options and higher performance, it remains a popular and desirable large cabin jet. Early build G550s with around 6,500 hours total are available on the pre-owned market for around USD 15 million, which is good value for money when considering the G550 is a large cabin, 6,750 nm jet and some even come with refurbished cabins and inflight connectivity. Aircraft enrolled in engine maintenance programs are more desirable and command higher values. Pre-owned G550s are attractive to users looking to upgrade, as well as first time buyers of large cabin jets.

For example, users of the smaller G450 can upgrade to the larger and longer range G550 at a reasonable cost. The main competitors of pre-owned G550s are the Global XRS/6000 which feature a larger cabin, and also the Falcon 7X/8X. Availability of pre-owned examples of the newer Global 5500 and 6500 are also increasing, but at a higher price point. Availability of pre-owned G550s is expected to increase but transaction levels should remain fairly consistent throughout the next few years as pricing becomes more affordable and more users look to upgrade or replace older aircraft.