The importance of dealing with a reputable Business aviation security and handling company like Asia’s ASA Group was underlined late last month during the latest round of Bangkok riots. Simon Wagstaff, the managing director and founder of ASA, which has a base in the Thai capital, gave his clients round-the-clock emergency contact telephone numbers should the need arise to flee the country.

Wagstaff, a decorated British soldier, has expertise which derives from three decades of experience, as well as advanced aviation security management training at the International Center for Air Transport Management in Tel Aviv. "If executive aviation travelers are worried about the situation in Thailand at the moment they are welcome to call us. We give a daily update to an international security and intelligence newsletter, which is subscribed to by thousands of businesses and individuals worldwide," he told

Wagstaff, say that despite a tough 2009 he and his team started a huge marketing and advertising campaign that is now playing off. "Business is blooming and we're getting more and more new business from international companies planning trips. Over the last 11 years our biggest customer has been Air Routing International (now part of Rockwell Collins), which just signed a new five-year contract covering Macau, Hong Kong, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia,"

ASA Group opened an office in Singapore in January and has just gained a two-year security contract there. "Our busiest operation in Asia in Hong Kong—it's always busy,"said Wagstaff.

ASA Group is branching out into aircraft management and is soon to place is first aircraft order for a Global Express XRS for an Asian Client. It will probably be the first aircraft to be covered in new linkage between ASA and completions and maintenance specialist Renaissance International Holdings of Quebec.

Renaissance has established a base at the UK's Robin Hood Airport, and Wagstaff sees this as his future UK maintenance base for Asian operators. Renaissance will also be involved with aircraft pre-delivery verification and refurbishment for Wagstaff if required. Renaissance is also contemplating opening an operation in the Middle East and/or Asia according to Wagstaff, and ASA would act as an agent because of its regional contacts, particularly in the field of maintenance and completion conversions.

In March ASA, along with other ground handlers at Bangkok’s Don Meuang regional and business aviation airport, elected to move the majority of their operations to Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's International Airport, as the Thailand-base charter company MJETS gained the exclusive contract to provide ramp handling and GSE at Don Meuang.

"We still take our client to Don Meuang and coordinate and supervise for them," said Wagstaff. "What we have seen though is that prices at Don Meuang are now double the price they are at Suvarnabhumi. Don Meuang is a more convenient smaller airport, and is a little closer to town and it is easier to handle there, whereas at Suvarnabhumi private jet passengers are caught up in the commercial security and immigration procedures although through the first class and VIP fast track facility."