Singapore to host Asia-Pacific’s newest business aviation event
The Asia-Pacific region will soon have its own business aviation event with the launch of the Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx) in Singapore. Set to take place from March 4-6, 2025, the event will be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, home to the established Singapore Airshow.
With BAAFEx scheduled to occur in alternate years to the Singapore Airshow, which next convenes in February 2026, the event is anticipated to fill a significant void for the business aviation community in Asia. The forum promises an extensive showcase, including a large static display of aircraft adjacent to Changi Airport’s main terminals.
Organizers expect strong interest from key industry players, including aircraft manufacturers and companies specializing in aviation technology, aircraft management and charter services. The inaugural BAAFEx aims to attract professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, including high-net-worth individuals and businesses considering private aviation investments.
The Asia-Pacific region’s demand for business jets and aviation services has steadily grown, with market interest concentrated in Southeast Asia, Japan and India. Within Southeast Asia, markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand lead the way, while emerging markets such as Vietnam and Cambodia are beginning to develop local business aviation infrastructure.
According to recent forecasts, the region is set to receive approximately 11% of the 8,500 new business jets expected to be delivered globally from 2023 to 2033. As of late 2023, the Asia-Pacific region was the third-largest market for business aviation worldwide, trailing North America and Europe, and demand has continued to climb. Business jet departures from Singapore alone saw a 28% increase last year compared to pre-pandemic levels.
BAAFEx’s location in Singapore once again enhances the country’s appeal as a strategic venue, thanks to the nation’s well-established business ecosystem, connectivity and role as a gateway for the broader Asia-Pacific region. For instance, business interest from China has surged in recent years, as Chinese high-net-worth individuals and business owners increasingly look to Singapore and neighboring countries for expansion opportunities.
The event will feature a conference program organized in partnership with the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA), marking a renewed focus on business and general aviation in Asia since the last regional trade show was held in Shanghai in 2019.
