Press Release

Issued by Asian Sky Group.

July 4, 2017

Hong Kong business aviation consulting firm Asian Sky Group (ASG) has released its 2017 Q2 edition of Asian Sky Quarterly, complete with updated forecasts on the business jet and civil helicopter markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The seventh edition of Asian Sky Quarterly provides the usual information on market intelligence and trends, Asia-specific and country-specific macroeconomic indicators, data on market mood, as well as the availability and prices for specific pre-owned aircraft types. This installment also features a profile on business aviation in Malaysia, along with insight and knowledge from Malaysian industry members, an in-depth look at the pre-owned G450 market and the new Legacy 650E.

Reflecting on the current state of the market in the Asia-Pacific region, ASG managing director, Jeffrey Lowe, said “From the data and analysis ASG has done, it appears the business jet market in the Asia-Pacific region has finally bottomed out. If you consult the Market Dynamics section of this issue of Asian Sky Quarterly, you'll find a number of indicators that, taken as a whole, represent the stabilization of the market we've all have been hoping for.”

Lowe goes on to say “The percentage of the fleet for sale in the Asia-Pacific region has topped out at around 12% and held steady for the last 12 to 15 months. Likewise, average asking prices have bottomed out at approximately US$22M and held steady for the last four to six months. So, the market trend which we saw start to change in April of last year, has now balanced out. We even see a convergence with the signal line indicating sustainability.”

These positive signs are further supported by the results from this quarter's 'Mood & Intentions' survey in Asian Sky Quarterly. “Optimism has been growing since Q3 2016 across all regions and reached its highest level this quarter. Aircraft utilization is increasing, as well. The industry as a whole in the Asia-Pacific region, is generally feeling better about its future.”

The market is still decidedly a 'Buyer's Market' though, with plenty of supply and attractive prices. But with a stable market and growing optimism, ASG expects sellers to be firmer with their pricing positions going forward, so the recommendation is for acquisitions to move to the forefront if being considered.

Any expectations for an immediate and significant increase in sales activity has not materialized in the data yet. The average days on market for an aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow and purchase intention uncertainty remains high. ASG forecasts this change over the second half of 2017 as more buyers finally enter the market.

“ASG is always pleased with the release a new issue of Asian Sky Quarterly,” says Lowe. “In addition to providing the insight and valued information the industry has come to expect, the seventh edition features an interview with ASG's Patrick Bouvry speaking on the company's growing consulting services, and a sneak peek at ASG's newest industry report due at the end of July 2017 on business aviation infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.”