Camber Aviation Management is currently involved with three customers in Asia Pacific. Camber’s area of expertise is Bombardier Globals, Airbus ACJ and Boeing BBJ narrow and widebody types. Its current customers are from Hong Kong, China and Indonesia.

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in demand, with particular interest from people who are first-time buyers, in fact two out of the three are first-time buyers,” remarks CEO Tom Chatfield. “They have connected with us to ask for objective advice. We have clearly stated to the market over the past year that we are not brokers and we are not affiliated with completion centres or designers. Our goal is to become our clients’ trusted advisor, guiding them though the complete process from identifying the aircraft type that best meets their expectations to identifying candidate jets, supporting the purchase process, developing the cabin design before overseeing the outfitting process leading to certification and delivery.

“The first-time buyers we are working with are often looking for a large-cabin jet, either an ACJ or a BBJ. They are very critical and they see the value of a pre-owned aircraft. They are more than happy to take three to six months to reconfigure the aircraft. They are looking to transform the entire cabin to suit their needs and tastes. Often, they are taking aircraft with more than 20 passenger seats and taking it down to an 18-seat aircraft, creating a more spacious and modern cabin in the process.”

He goes on to say that the general tendency from Chinese customers is to want to have a something brand-new all the time. “But they are looking at BBJs or ACJs that you can get from around 15 to 20 million dollars, and if you invest five to 10 million dollars into that aircraft, it’s very difficult to tell the difference between that one and a brand new one that has rolled off the line. So, there is very significant value there. The cost of a new ACJ or BBJ, outfitted to a client’s expectations, can be three or four times more expensive, and you’ll have to wait three years to take delivery of the finished aircraft.”

Clients are looking for cabins that are tailored to meet their requirements, and they have desired a Mahjong table as well as comfortable lounges with places to talk, collaborate, relax and dine. “We are seeing clients wanting to replace the classic steam oven for inductive cooking, which lends itself much, much better to fresh local cuisine. Good Asian food put in an oven really doesn’t taste good! Clients are looking for freshly prepared multi-course meals, to impress not only their own, but also their guests’ palettes. I strongly believe the Chinese market has been underserved for many years in that respect. Camber works with the best suppliers, engineers and completion centres to create galley solutions that result in truly memorable meals – having good food on board is essential.”

Customers are very keen to have a shower on the aircraft too. Working together with designers and completion centres, Camber can deliver beautiful showers that may be also used for a relaxing essential oil steam bath before retiring into the full-size bed in the private suite.

Chatfield concludes: “What they are really looking for is longer range, so more tanks, a lightweight cabin, and the ability for at least half of the people on board to sleep. With 18 passengers, clients are looking for at least nine of them to be able to sleep comfortably on the aircraft. In the segment that we are in, which is focused on large cabin business jets and narrowbody airliner conversations, people truly appreciate the sense of space. The people coming to us are really looking for longer range aircraft. They are looking way beyond domestic and more than just inter-regional. Mainland Chinese people are looking to be able to fly directly to Africa, to Europe and they are looking for direct flights to go to the west coast of the United States. Business is the driving factor with pleasure a close second. Some destinations, such as East Africa, are increasingly unavailable on commercial flights, and people may not be able to get there easily for the next two years, so they turn to private flying. Private flying offers the option to fly directly, safely and efficiently.”

Camber is receiving enquiries to transform Globals into a longer range aircraft with less seating capacity and greater comfort.