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

Putting on a business aircraft conference or exhibition is incredibly hard, and launching a new show is probably 10 times harder. But people like meeting face to face—after all, that’s why business aviation exists. And while it seems like there are way too many aviation events, there was a niche that wasn’t being filled: a business aviation show to replace ABACE, which was held in Shanghai and ended its run in 2019 after Covid shut the world down in 2020.
I’m on my way back to the U.S. on a long United Airlines flight after spending three days at the new Business Aviation Asia Forum &amp; Expo (BAAFEx) in Singapore. Even though it was a relatively small show with a three-airplane static display, it exceeded my expectations. I think it’s well on the way to replacing ABACE in a location that is business-friendly and easily reachable for visitors from Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia.&nbsp;
Launched by Experia Events, which also runs the biennial Singapore Airshow, BAAFEx will take place in opposite years, so the next one is planned for April 6 to 8, 2027.&nbsp;
About 50 exhibiting companies and organizations took the plunge into BAAFEx, and everyone that I spoke to at the show was enthusiastic about this first effort and plans to come back. Those who were walking the show and not exhibiting indicated that their companies will likely have a booth at the 2027 edition. Hopefully, this also means the static display will be larger next time.
The three aircraft on static display included a VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500, an Amber Aviation Gulfstream G450 highlighting the company’s AmberNet fractional leasing program, and a Falcon 8X that Dassault displayed—the only OEM to bring an airplane. To be fair, Boeing Business Jets had a large exhibit booth but apparently wasn’t able to arrange for a customer BBJ to bring to the static display.
Even though BAAFEx wasn’t such a large show, it did attract more than 2,500 visitors, according to Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events. The exhibit booths were well arranged in a portion of the Changi Exhibition Centre, with an adjacent conference section that attracted standing-room-only crowds to the three days’ worth of safety and industry sessions.
People often complain when all the exhibit booths aren’t clearly dedicated to aviation, but the champagne bar in the middle of the floor wasn’t exactly ignored by the crowds, and the daily snacks and lunch bites section was also a crowd-pleaser. The many journalists invited to the event appreciated the daily hot food buffet in the media center.
It was also encouraging to see so many Asia-based charter management companies represented at the show. Business aviation is an important aviation segment in Asia, and these companies, which don’t get much attention compared to their Western counterparts, are busy building highly advanced charter, maintenance, and FBO businesses in Asia.
One aspect that made BAAFEx enjoyable and will be a key feature at future events is that the static display was right outside the hall, literally a 10-second walk with no onerous security procedures. Static displays at business aviation events are critical; people love to see aircraft, and they don’t want to have to drive to an airport or go through two security screenings—one to get into the show and another to get to the ramp.
It was abundantly clear that Experia Events is quite expert at running shows. There was nothing that felt last-minute or slapped together at BAAFEx. The exhibit floor design and amenities were top-notch, professional, and conducive to doing business and making new friends.
“The feedback we’ve gotten from exhibitors and trade visitors is more than encouraging,” Leck said. “This is the show they’ve been looking for to fill the gap [left by ABACE].” Every exhibitor told him that they will be back, and aircraft OEMs that weren’t there this time are planning to exhibit in 2027.
“We have to balance the scale, size, and confidence that it gives to the exhibitors,” he said. “The key is not about scale and size but how meticulous is the event organized in terms of putting the show together and the user experience, be it visitors or exhibitors.
“Whether it is a medium or large show, for us at Experia we take organizing events very seriously. The key is the end-user experience and making sure it’s a good one for all attendees.”
For the next edition of BAAFEx, Experia will focus on growing the show to get more representation from Asia business aviation players, more aircraft on the static display, and further improving the user experience. “The focus is on creating a platform for the business aviation community to talk about issues and chart the way forward,” Leck concluded.

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

AINsight: BAAFEx Puts Business Aviation Back on the Asia Map

Inaugural show in Singapore exceeded exhibitor and attendee expectations

Even though it was a relatively small show with a three-airplane static display, BAAFEx exceeded my expectations and I think it’s on the way to replacing ABACE.

AINsight: BAAFEx Puts Bizav Back on the Asia Map

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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.

Collins reintroduced the legislation that previously died in the last Congress

Lawmakers Offer Bill To Open 529s to Pilot/Mx Training

Jessica Reed

Pilots and flight attendants members can manage all trip-related reservations in one place

CrewBlast Introduces AI-powered Briefcase Feature

Curt Epstein

Companies across the industry spectrum stepped up to offer assistance

Business Aviation Steps Up in LA Wildfire Fight

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Chris Rocheleau is acting FAA administrator,  Éric Trappier CEO of Dassault.

People in Aviation March 2025

The professional collegiate aviation fraternity presented the award during its symposium this week

NBAA’s Ed Bolen Receives Alpha Eta Rho’s Highest Honor

AmyWilder

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Fractional provider will use sim for pilot training

PlaneSense Launches PC-12 NGX Simulator

Sheryl Barden

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.

Don’t overlook maintenance directors’ skills when looking for a flight department leader

AINsight: From DOM to DOA

Hanneke Weitering

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.

BAAFEx 2025

More In Training and Workforce

Lawmakers Offer Bill To Open 529s to Pilot/Mx Training

Collins reintroduced the legislation that previously died in the last Congress

CrewBlast Introduces AI-powered Briefcase Feature

Pilots and flight attendants members can manage all trip-related reservations in one place

Business Aviation Steps Up in LA Wildfire Fight

Companies across the industry spectrum stepped up to offer assistance

People in Aviation March 2025

Chris Rocheleau is acting FAA administrator, Éric Trappier CEO of Dassault.

NBAA’s Ed Bolen Receives Alpha Eta Rho’s Highest Honor

The professional collegiate aviation fraternity presented the award during its symposium this week

PlaneSense Launches PC-12 NGX Simulator

Fractional provider will use sim for pilot training

AINsight: From DOM to DOA

Don’t overlook maintenance directors’ skills when looking for a flight department leader

Archer Aviation’s Pilot Training Academy Wins FAA Nod

Archer’s flight school can start training eVTOL pilots on a Bell 206 JetRanger

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN