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troubled by COVID-19 at the moment and Astro Air is no<br />
exception. To better understand the operational planning under<br />
these challenging times and the related businesses of Astro Air,<br />
Global Sky Media spoke to Mr. JJ Chen, Founder, Chairman, and<br />
CEO of Astro Air.<br />
How do you see the development of Astro Air in<br />
2021-<strong>2022</strong>?<br />
At the beginning of COVID-19, the negative impact was so huge that the<br />
employees could not come to work and the company could not operate normally.<br />
Up to now, the restrictions needed to control the pandemic also have an impact<br />
the whole industry. However, Astro Air saw this time as an opportunity to make<br />
some internal adjustments and management changes to better prepare and plan<br />
for the development in the era of COVID-19. In the face of a force majeure such<br />
as the pandemic, Astro Air has made some effective corporate reforms.<br />
JJ Chen<br />
Founder, Chairman, CEO<br />
Astro Air<br />
astroairgroup.com<br />
Although founded in 2012, Astro Air started<br />
its official operation in 2016, headquartered<br />
in Shenzhen, with its main operating base<br />
located at the Shenzhen Baoan International<br />
Airport. The company is mainly engaged in<br />
aircraft management, VIP charter services,<br />
customized tours, aviation infrastructure,<br />
aircraft trading, maintenance management,<br />
aviation training and other business aviation<br />
services. Astro Air has set up bases in<br />
several major cities in China, including<br />
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong<br />
and Chengdu, and is committed to providing<br />
quality comprehensive aircraft travel services<br />
to customers in mainland China, Hong Kong,<br />
Macau, and Taiwan.<br />
What is your outlook for 2023 in light of the<br />
ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in China? What are<br />
the positive expectations?<br />
Astro Air’s marketing strategy focuses on hard success metrics by leveraging<br />
digital channels more effectively and supplementing our online campaign with<br />
offline media. Astro Air has raised tens of millions of RMB in Series B and<br />
Series B+ financing rounds in the past two years. These funds will be used for<br />
the future growth of the company. Astro Air originally planned to complete its<br />
IPO listing in 2024, but that may be affected now because of the pandemic’s<br />
ongoing impact.<br />
My prediction for 2023 is that the industry will gradually recover because the<br />
negative impact of COVID-19 will gradually decrease. But I suppose the recovery<br />
mainly depends on three things. First, the customs policy between Hong Kong<br />
and mainland China; second, the volume of domestic and international flights<br />
around the world to restore 70%-80% to that of pre-pandemic levels; third, the<br />
daily covid test requirements. If there is no substantial change, the industry<br />
In July <strong>2022</strong>, Astro Air successfully obtained<br />
the International Standard for<br />
Business Aircraft Operations<br />
(IS-BAO) Stage III certification from the<br />
International Business Aviation Council<br />
(IBAC), becoming one of the few business<br />
aircraft companies in China to have done<br />
so. Many companies in China remain deeply<br />
ASIA-PACIFIC CHARTER REPORT <strong>2022</strong> | 21
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