Growing pool of billionaires and vast distances drive unprecedented demand for private jets from Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault across region spanning Australia to China.
Business aviation in Asia-Pacific is experiencing explosive growth as manufacturers report robust demand across this region, with billions of dollars in aircraft sales driven by an expanding pool of ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs and the vast distances between major cities.
At this week’s Singapore Air Show, manufacturers including Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation and Textron Aviation showcased their latest jets to a growing customer base that ranges from established markets in Australia and Japan to economic powerhouses in India and China. The region, which covers almost half the planet, has evolved from what industry executives describe as business aviation’s infancy three decades ago to become a major global hub.
Scott Neal, senior vice-president of worldwide sales at Gulfstream, said the Savannah-based manufacturer has been the leader in Asia-Pacific for more than a decade and continues to experience robust demand. The company displayed its G700 and G500 jets at the show.
Emmanuel Barnard, vice-president of international sales at Bombardier, said the region’s vast geography makes it a strong market for Global series aircraft, including the newly certificated Global 8000 flagship with an 8,000-nautical-mile range.
Several factors are driving the boom. Distances from Western capitals and the rise of successful start-up businesses, often run by first-generation billionaires, are fueling demand for extra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range business jets that can fly nonstop across the Pacific.
“We are seeing a clear trend among entrepreneurs and senior executives towards travel that combines work commitments with vacation time,” said Ian Moore, chief commercial officer at charter provider Vista. “Particularly with high-net-worth individuals, the line between business and private time is increasingly blurred, as they often travel with family members.”
Dassault Aviation, which has more than 100 business jets in service across Asia-Pacific, displayed its latest certificated type, the Falcon 6X, at Singapore. Carlos Brana, executive vice-president of civil aircraft, said the show provided an opportunity to generate enthusiasm around the 6X by offering flight demonstrations. The market appreciates the aircraft for its quietness and handling, he said.
Although Brana acknowledged Falcon sales have fallen in the region in recent years, largely due to an end to the boom in orders from China during the 2010s, he remains optimistic, with markets from Bangladesh to Vietnam showing encouraging signs.
Dassault plans to roll out its 7,500-nautical-mile-range Falcon 10X on March 10 ahead of first flight. Brana called the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X-powered aircraft a game-changer. At 2.77 meters wide (9 ft, 1 in), the 10X’s cross-section is around 20 centimeters wider than competitors including the Gulfstream G700 and Bombardier Global 7500, providing what Brana described as a different experience with passengers feeling like they are in their own apartment, particularly on flights of more than 10 hours.
“The very basis of business aviation is to save time,” Brana said. “So, if you can do these flights without a stopover, so much the better.”
Textron Aviation exhibited two Citations, the midsize Latitude and CJ4 light jet, as well as a King Air 360. Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice-president of global sales and operations, said the manufacturer’s portfolio is uniquely placed for Asia-Pacific, with Citations popular as intra-region jets and the King Air valued in Australia and other markets for its ability to operate from rough airstrips.
“Our customers range from someone flying cargo and passengers in a piston around Australia to those using a King Air or Citation or Hawker jet to run their businesses,” O’Bannion said.
Embraer, which has an 81-aircraft fleet in the region, said its Phenom 100EX and Phenom 300E light jets are particularly popular in Australia and Oceania, while its larger Legacy 600 and 650 are well matched to the region’s domestic and some international flight profiles.
Crystal Wong, executive vice president for Asia Pacific at Vista (VistaJet), identified new demographic trends, including an increase in business jet users in their 30s or 40s who are typically self-made entrepreneurs in technology rather than being from established wealthy families who made their money from real estate or traditional manufacturing. Most are first-time business aviation customers who value time greatly and are receptive to innovations such as digital booking platforms, she said.
China’s business aviation market has been recovering after a slowdown caused by a weaker economy, a faltering property market and growing disapproval of ostentatious wealth displays. Paul Desgrosseilliers, general manager of ExecuJet Haite in Tianjin, said while he does not expect China’s fleet to return to mid-2010s levels when 30, 40, 50 business jets were coming in each year, 2025 saw a big increase in flight activity, with charter growing in popularity and strong demand from sectors including artificial intelligence and electric vehicles.
The major manufacturers have invested heavily in their maintenance, repair and overhaul footprints across the region in recent years. Bombardier operates branded service facilities in Singapore, Tianjin and Melbourne. Gulfstream relies largely on sister company Jet Aviation, while Dassault owns ExecuJet MRO Services with six sites in Australasia and a flagship location in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ivan Lim, vice-president at ExecuJet MRO Services, said the Kuala Lumpur facility is the only Dassault-owned operation in Asia. Last year, the original site at Subang airport was rebuilt to accommodate up to 15 aircraft. He noted that many larger, pre-owned aircraft are entering the region, which is beneficial as older aircraft require more maintenance.
In Singapore, Jet Aviation celebrated 30 years of presence last year. Jeremie Caillet, president of Jet Aviation, reflected that when the business was established in 1995, business aviation in the region was in its infancy. Louis Leong, vice-president for MRO operations Asia, said Singapore has become a hub for business aviation in terms of charter connections, amid a dynamic market elsewhere in the region, particularly in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Key Takeaways
- Business aviation in Asia-Pacific is booming with manufacturers reporting robust demand across markets from Australia to China, driven by first-generation billionaires and vast regional distances requiring ultra-long-range jets.
- New aircraft like the Bombardier Global 8000 with 8,000-nautical-mile range and Dassault Falcon 10X enable nonstop transpacific flights, while younger tech entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s are embracing digital charter platforms over traditional ownership.
- Manufacturers have invested heavily in maintenance facilities across the region, with Bombardier, Gulfstream and Dassault operating extensive service networks to support growing fleets.
- China’s market is recovering after post-COVID decline, with charter flights and technology sectors including AI and electric vehicles driving renewed demand despite not returning to peak levels of 30-50 annual aircraft deliveries.
