Asia-Pacific Region Launches First Dedicated Business Aviation Show Event

21 Oct, 2024

The Asia-Pacific region is set to host its inaugural private aviation trade show, the Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx), taking place from March 4 to 6, 2025, in Singapore. This exciting event, organized by Experia Events, will occur at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the same venue that hosts the Singapore Airshow. The BAAFEx will be a biennial event, alternating years with the Singapore Airshow, which is scheduled for early February 2026. The venue's proximity to Singapore’s main airport allows for an extensive static aircraft display, enhancing the experience for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Experia Events anticipates strong participation from key business aircraft manufacturers, with companies like TAG Aviation, Viasat, and MedAire already committed to showcasing their offerings. The event aims to address the growing demand for business aircraft and services in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly driven by interest from Southeast Asia, Japan, and India. Within Southeast Asia, markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are well established, with emerging interest noted in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

The latest market forecast from Honeywell Aerospace predicts a demand for 8,500 new business jets between 2023 and 2033, with 11% of deliveries expected to cater to the Asia-Pacific market, which currently represents 7% of the global business aircraft fleet. The Asian Sky Group reported around 1,200 business aircraft registered in Asia-Pacific at the end of 2023, placing it as the third-largest market globally. In addition, WingX data highlights a 28% increase in business aircraft departures from Singapore in 2023 compared to 2019, emphasizing the region's robust growth.

Singapore is uniquely positioned as a global business aviation hub, well-connected and strategically located within the Asia-Pacific. The event aims to attract a diverse audience, including aircraft owners, operators, and decision-makers, with a particular focus on drawing visitors from China. The region has seen increased interest from high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from China post-pandemic, many of whom are expanding their businesses in Southeast Asia. This trend is reflected in the growing number of Chinese business owners establishing regional headquarters in Singapore.

Since the last Asian Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Shanghai in 2019, the industry has lacked a dedicated trade show in the region. The Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) serves as an official partner for BAAFEx, overseeing the conference program. AsBAA's chairwoman, Jenny Lau, expressed the significance of this event, stating it presents an exceptional opportunity to unite the business aviation community and address the evolving needs of the sector. With BAAFEx on the horizon, the Asia-Pacific region is poised for significant advancements in business aviation.

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