Founder & Group Chairman
Simon P. Wagstaff
Founder & Group Chairman, ASA Air Charter & The ASA Group
Credentials: BEM · MIExpE · Falklands Veteran · 27+ Years Aviation
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27+ — Years in Asian aviation
6 — Country offices built from 1 employee
1,000+ — Asian airports in ASA's network
3,000+ — Military parachute jumps logged

Biography
Simon P. Wagstaff BEM MIExpE is the founder and Group Chairman of ASA Air Charter — Asia's leading private jet charter broker and one of the region's most trusted names in business aviation since 1999. With a career that spans elite military service, counter-terrorism operations, and 27+ years of building aviation businesses across Southeast Asia, Simon brings a level of real-world expertise that is rare in the charter industry.
Before founding ASA, Simon served 18 years in the British Army as a Senior Rank Bomb Disposal Engineer with the elite Commando Brigade. He is a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War, completed seven tours of active duty including covert operations in Northern Ireland, and served as Chief Instructor for tri-service parachuting — logging over 3,000 jumps. In 1992, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for meritorious service, presented by Governor Chris Patten in Hong Kong.
After retiring from the military in 1993, Simon remained in Asia — where he had been based since 1989 — and applied his discipline, logistics expertise, and regional knowledge to the private aviation sector. He founded ASA Air Charter in 1999 to meet the growing demand for reliable, professionally managed charter services in Asia. From a single-person operation, he built ASA into a group with offices in Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Manila, serving clients across 1,000+ airports throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, Simon is recognised as one of Asia's foremost authorities on private aviation, aviation security, and corporate air travel. He is regularly sought by international media — including the South China Morning Post and Wings Magazine — as an expert commentator on aviation security and business travel in Asia.

"Private aviation is not a luxury — it is a business tool. When your time is your most valuable asset, the ability to fly on your schedule, to airports others cannot reach, and to conduct confidential meetings at altitude changes everything."
— Simon P. Wagstaff BEM MIExpE, Founder & Group Chairman, ASA Air Charter

Credentials & Awards
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Awarded for meritorious service as a member of the British Army Commando Brigade. Presented by Governor Chris Patten in Hong Kong, 1992. The BEM is awarded by the British Crown for a hands-on, practical contribution of merit.
Member of the Institution of Explosives Engineers (MIExpE)
Professional membership recognising formal expertise in explosives engineering and bomb disposal — the qualification underpinning Simon's 18 years as a Senior Rank Bomb Disposal Engineer with the British Army.
Falklands War Veteran — Commando Brigade, 1982
Served with the British Army's Commando Brigade during the 1982 Falklands War. Also completed 7 tours of active duty including counter-terrorism operations in Northern Ireland. Retired 1993 as Senior Rank Bomb Disposal Engineer.
Tri-Service Parachuting Chief Instructor
Served as Chief Instructor for tri-service parachuting operations during his military career, accumulating over 3,000 military parachute jumps — one of the highest logged totals in the British Army at the time of his service.

Career Timeline
1975 — Joined British Army — Commando Brigade
Began 18 years of service as a Bomb Disposal Engineer with the elite Commando Brigade. Qualified as Chief Instructor for tri-service parachuting.
1982 — Falklands War — Active Service
Served with the Commando Brigade during the South Atlantic campaign. Also completed 7 tours in Northern Ireland during counter-terrorism operations.
1989 — Relocated to Asia
Moved to Asia while still serving — beginning what would become a lifetime career in the region's security, aviation, and travel sectors.
1992 — Awarded British Empire Medal (BEM)
Received the BEM from Governor Chris Patten at a ceremony in Hong Kong, in recognition of meritorious service as a member of the Commando Brigade.
1993 — Retired from the British Army
After 18 years of service, retired as Senior Rank Bomb Disposal Engineer. Remained in Asia to pursue a second career in the security and aviation industries.
1999 — Founded ASA Air Charter & The ASA Group
Established the ASA Group to meet growing demand for quality business aviation and security services in Asia. Began as a one-person operation; grew into a 6-country group within a decade.
2001 — Expanded to Bangkok — Ground Handling Operations
Launched ground handling and aviation supervision services in Bangkok, establishing ASA's operational hub in Thailand. Bangkok remains the primary base for ASA Air Charter today.
Today — Group Chairman — ASA Air Charter & The ASA Group
Leads ASA's operations across Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Manila. The group serves clients across 1,000+ airports throughout Asia and worldwide.

Areas of Expertise
Private Jet Charter · Air Charter Brokerage · Business Aviation — Southeast Asia · Aviation Security · Medical Air Evacuation (Medevac) · Air Cargo Charter · VIP & Corporate Travel · Counter-Terrorism · Bomb Disposal Engineering · Crisis & Security Management · Sports Team & Group Charter · Diplomatic & Government Aviation

Press & Media Coverage
South China Morning Post — Why Falklands War Veteran Simon Wagstaff Now Has Everest in His Sights
Feature profile on Simon's military career, the founding of ASA, and his personal pursuit of adventure including a planned Everest expedition.
Wings Magazine — ASA's Aviation Security Expert's Tips for a Trouble-Free Olympics
Simon cited as an expert source on aviation security strategy for major international events.
Charter Broker — ASA Wins Private Charter and Security Contract for Tropical Island
Coverage of ASA's expansion into combined private charter and security services — an area unique to Simon's dual military/aviation background.
ASA Blog — Business Aviation in Southeast Asia
Simon's perspective on the growth of business aviation in Southeast Asia — covering market dynamics, regulatory environment, and the opportunities he identified when founding ASA in 1999.