TAG Aviation is finally recovering from the hangover it saw taking hold after the end of the Covid pandemic in Asia. “I’m happier today than I’ve been in the past four years,” said Simon Bambridge, commercial director for Asia.

The business aviation services group hasn’t seen a return to pre-pandemic passenger or fleet levels but, he told AIN, “for the first time in four years we have a pipeline for aircraft coming in.”

TAG Aviation did forge on during the crisis, supporting its aircraft charter-management and maintenance businesses. In addition to its air operator certificate, the company brokers charter flights, and its maintenance operations in Hong Kong, Macau, and Subang in Malaysia are authorized to service Bombardier Challengers and Globals and Dassault 7Xs and 8Xs. The company also owns and operates an FBO in Macau. 

New arrivals to the charter-management fleet will include two Bombardier Global 7500s, one coming in two months and another in four months, followed by a Gulfstream G700 in July. “We have a number of existing clients who have signed to upgrade to a G600, G700, and G800. This marks a turning point from the last four years, which were negative and stagnant,” Bambridge said. “They were waiting for the right time and now they’re ready. We’re cautiously optimistic.”

Exhibiting at the Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo in Singapore this week is an opportunity to meet with partners “who we may not have seen for some time,” he said, and hopefully add new partners and customers. “We’ve been operating in Asia close to 20 years," he explained "and we have a strong network of trusted partners.”

Bambridge also likes to learn about new ways of doing business and the latest developments from other exhibitors. “It’s networking,” he said. “I’ve met people who have interesting ideas on financing and how to support customers with new handling agents in areas we haven’t been before. Boeing Business Jets is talking about a new concept of a more standardized cabin approach rather than a completely bespoke interior. It’s hard to value an ACJ or BBJ because each cabin is unique, so it makes sense to have an option for it to be standardized. 

“It’s important to keep abreast of developments when customers ask about upgrades or the latest equipment,” he explained. “For our customers, we are their aviation expert, and they want our advice on any aspect of their operation and how they can improve.”