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

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.&nbsp;
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 &amp; 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.&nbsp;
“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.”

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

TAG Aviation’s Asia Operations Turning Toward the Positive

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

New arrivals to the charter-management fleet include two Bombardier Global 7500s, one in two months and another in four months, followed by a Gulfstream G700 in July.

TAG Aviation’s Asia Operations Reach a Turning Point

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

In this article

TAG Aviation

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

China’s Sino Jet Sees Shift to Higher Charter Demand

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

Following Sale, Flewber Global Is Now Flyte

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

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