Illegal charter continues to pose a major challenge for Asia-Pacific’s business aviation market, where demand for private flights consistently outstrips available aircraft on an air operator certificate (AOC). The supply-demand imbalance creates fertile ground for noncompliant operations, with industry leaders estimating that roughly 30% of the regional market remains illicit—a figure highlighted in a 2021 study by global law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), and which has shown little improvement despite repeated warnings.
For Brendan Toomey, CEO of Air Charter Service (ACS) Singapore, illegal charter is a direct challenge to Part 135 operators. Operating in 21 countries with 41 offices—including seven in APAC—the firm handles private and commercial charters, cargo flights, and time-critical missions, giving it a direct view of how illegal Part 91 flights undercut legitimate operators.
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