Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

At the inaugural Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo, Sino Jet founder and president Jenny Lau praised the new event this week at Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre. “I think it’s a good start,” she said. “After ABACE [ended in 2019], we haven’t had a proper show [in Asia]. The industry still needs professionals to meet and see each other so we can create more business opportunities and share collaborative ideas.”
Lau has noticed a demographic shift in the business aviation customer base in Asia, with more young new entrants and a shift from traditional business owners to people involved in high-tech industries. “They’re more comfortable to travel on business jets, they like to travel in big groups, and they’re more actively doing business overseas,” she told AIN.
Younger buyers also tend to prefer chartering to owning aircraft and they are also moving away from China so Sino Jet has set up offices and staff to support customers elsewhere, including in Dubai and Zurich. “Clients like us having a local presence,” Lau said. “Our model is to serve Chinese clients where they are.” In addition to its core charter-management business, which is headquartered in Beijing, Sino Jet has expanded with FBOs in Macau, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Nanchang as well as MRO services.
Because of the growing demand for charter and the fact that many airplanes that used to be available for charter in China were sold during the pandemic, there is a shortage of viable aircraft. According to Lau, the demand is still there so Sino Jet has purchased some airplanes to fill that need, including a Gulfstream G550. The company’s fleet totals 42 aircraft, 80% of which are based in China, with the rest in Japan, Singapore, Europe, and North America.
“Operators like us don’t make much profit on local charter so we tend to buy long-range jets to meet demand,” Lau said.
<h2>China's Low-altitude Economy</h2>
China’s government has made a commitment to promote and develop low-altitude aviation, and Sino Jet is placing a big bet on that market segment with an order for <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-11-02/private-aviation-group-sino-jet-plans-evtol-air-services-china">100 Aerofugia AE200 eVTOL aircraft</a>. “China is very hot on developing the low-altitude economy,” Lau said. “This is a game-changing plan for the country. Our customers are interested.” Sino Jet anticipates demand from government users for local trips from the airport to downtown and humanitarian and medevac uses.
Like most aviation businesses, Sino Jet has been facing challenges finding qualified new hires, “Everyone is having that problem,” Lau said. Not only does she look for people with problem-solving skills but with offices all over the world, language skills are essential. “They have to have a strong service mindset,” she said. “It doesn’t come easy. There are a lot of challenges to place people in the right accounts."
For now, the Southeast Asia market is one of the main priorities for Sino Jet. “We see huge growth potential because of the capital inflow to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and India,” Lau concluded.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Sino Jet Sees Shift to Higher Charter Demand from Chinese Customers

Young new entrants prefer not to own aircraft but are comfortable traveling in business jets

Sino Jet is placing a big bet on the low-altitude market segment with an order for 100 Aerofugia AE200 eVTOL aircraft.

China’s Sino Jet Sees Shift to Higher Charter Demand

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Revenues stabilize as Q4 adjusted EBITDA loss falls to $11.3 million

Wheels Up Eyes Profits as Fleet Efficiencies Grow Margins

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

UK-based charter broker is boosting its presence across Europe

Chapman Freeborn Establishes Charter Base in France

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Moviation plans to operate three initial routes in and around South Korea's capital Seoul

Korean Charter Flight Group Pre-Orders Sora's S-1 eVTOL Aircraft

UK-based aircraft management company has a fleet of 11 business jets

Opul Jets Expands Charter Group with Wallcourt Acquisition

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

BAAFEx 2025

More In Charter & Fractional

Wheels Up Eyes Profits as Fleet Efficiencies Grow Margins

Revenues stabilize as Q4 adjusted EBITDA loss falls to $11.3 million

Chapman Freeborn Establishes Charter Base in France

UK-based charter broker is boosting its presence across Europe

Korean Charter Flight Group Pre-Orders Sora's S-1 eVTOL Aircraft

Moviation plans to operate three initial routes in and around South Korea's capital Seoul

Opul Jets Expands Charter Group with Wallcourt Acquisition

UK-based aircraft management company has a fleet of 11 business jets

Jet Aviation Singapore Joins ACJ Authorized Service Network

Seletar Airport facility can do warranty-backed work on ACJ 318/319/320/321 bizliner family

Following Sale, Flewber Global Is Now Flyte

Online booking platform is poised for growth, according to its new owners

TAG Aviation’s Asia Operations Reach a Turning Point

Business is finally picking up with a significant influx of new business jets

VistaJet Global 7500 Stars on BAAFEx Show Static Display

Ultra-long-range jet is among the charter operator's most popular jets

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN