Asia’s jet set being forced to buy old planes or sell up and fly commercially, says new head of business aviation group
- Chairman of Asia Business Aviation Association says region’s airports should give his members better flight slots and charge lower fees
- Wu Zhendong says sector could enjoy 25 per cent growth if priority wasn’t given to commercial airlines
The skies over Asia will be even busier in the future if the new chairman of the Asia Business Aviation Association has his way, despite the potential threat air travel presents to the world’s climate.
Wu Zhendong would like to see a 25 per cent growth in the number of corporate jets taking to the air, and wants the region’s airports to get on board with his vision.
He said his members’ businesses could get a boost if major airports opened more runway slots for corporate jets, and reduced the fees charged.
According to Wu, the industry’s difficulties stem from airports prioritising commercial flights, which has prompted some users to shift to cheaper cost-effective charter flights, buy second-hand aircraft, and even fly first class on commercial flights.
Wu said the problem for his members, which he felt personally as the head of general aviation services firm, Avion Pacific, was how to tackle these thorny issues.