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Business Air News Bulletin
Business Air News Bulletin

Press Release

Issued by Asian Business Aviation Association.

January 20, 2017

TAG Aviation Asia joins AsBAA leadership; steps forward on capacity issue at HKIA

AsBAA, the Asian region's non-for-profit representative trade body for business aviation, has announced Phil Balmer, maintenance director of TAG Aviation Asia as the new chairman of its Hong Kong committee. The announcement was made at the Hong Kong committee meeting, 19 January, hosted in TAG's new offices at Harcourt House, Wan Chai. The meeting was attended by around 30 AsBAA members representing: operators, business support services and included a presentation ceremony to recognise the long-standing contribution of Hongkong Jet CEO, Mr. Denzil White who stood down as chairman of the committee at the end of 2016.

AsBAA chairman, Charlie Mularski shared, “We welcome Phil as head of the AsBAA Hong Kong committee. Phil and the team at TAG play a prominent role in supporting local business aviation priorities. We are confident that the AsBAA HK committee can continue to make improvements on behalf of the wider membership under his leadership. We also take this opportunity to thank Denzil for all the great work he's done leading and supporting the Hong Kong committee over the last two years.”

Phil shared, "my goal is to continue the excellent momentum which was created from persistence and hard work by the volunteers of AsBAA. I believe the best way to maximize the opportunities for the business aviation industry is through a unified approach, and AsBAA is now clearly being recognised as the voice of the industry."

The announcement was made on the same day that AsBAA attended a fifth meeting with HKCAD and the airport authority in order to take steps forward on the current capacity issues at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). With parking and slots limitations at HKIA recently causing significant problems to business aviation owners, users and service providers, AsBAA has been working closely with the authorities on an action plan to maximise resources, booking software (OCS) and BAPs , and raise awareness of the economic benefits of business aviation to Hong Kong.

Mularski said, “The third runway will not be available for eight to 10 years, therefore our focus now is on working with the authorities to implement practices that maximise resources and create tangible change. We were encouraged to see that AsBAA's recommendations relating to penalties and cancellation guidelines made at earlier meetings have already been implemented. When looking at the statistical impact of the suggested changes, we can see positive change with around a 25% reduction in wasted slots. We will continue this work with the authorities, members and the media to ensure that Hong Kong does not miss out on the economic benefits our industry brings to the city.”