Association of Asia Pacific Airlines announces Wong Hong as its new DG

Kuala Lumpur,1 December 2025:

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has announced that Wong Hong will take up the position of AAPA Director General, effective 1 April 2026, following the decision by the current Director General Subhas Menon to step down after having successfully led the Association since 2020.

Wong Hong has over 22 years of international aviation experience, having held senior commercial roles in network planning, revenue management and sales at Singapore Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Most recently, he held the position of Delta Air Lines’ President – China based in Shanghai, leading the carrier’s growth in the China market through a close partnership with China Eastern Airlines. He brings extensive overseas experience having been based in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam. His earlier roles in ground handling and catering at SATS, as well as in distribution and financial services at IATA further add relevant regional expertise to his new appointment.

Reporting through the Executive Committee to the AAPA Assembly of Presidents, as Director General Mr. Wong Hong will represent the interests of the AAPA and its member airlines on a wide range of aviation policy issues, working closely with member airlines and other aviation industry stakeholders. The AAPA, as the trade association of international airlines based in the Asia Pacific region, has built up a strong reputation and presence with leading regulators and other industry stakeholders as a credible and respected voice of Asia Pacific airlines, championing policies that support safe, sustainable and competitive air transport across the region.

AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said, “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as AAPA Director General, and I am grateful for the trust and collaboration of our member airlines over the past six years. With Asia Pacific as the world’s largest aviation market, I am confident that AAPA will continue to thrive under Wong Hong’s leadership as the Association navigates a rapidly evolving aviation landscape.”

AAPA Chairman 2025 and President of Bangkok Airways,Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said, “On behalf of our member airlines, I would like to thank Subhas Menon for his dedication and strong leadership of the AAPA over the past six years. Under his guidance, AAPA has strengthened its advocacy efforts and deepened engagement with regulators and industry partners during a period of significant change for the aviation sector. Notably, he successfully grew the AAPA membership to 18 member airlines, despite challenging circumstances during the COVID pandemic. As a widely respected organisation within the global aviation community, AAPA is well-positioned to benefit from Wong Hong’s extensive regional experience, strategic insight and deep industry knowledge. We warmly welcome him and look forward to working closely together.”

Wong Hong said, “I am honoured to be entrusted with this role and look forward to working closely with our member airlines and industry stakeholders. The Asia Pacific region is central to global aviation, and I am committed to building on AAPA’s strong foundation as we work together to support the sustainable growth and competitiveness of our region’s industry.”

FOREWORD

Dear Readers,

 

Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

 

Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

 

On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

 

We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

  • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
  • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
  • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
  • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

 

Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

 

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

 

Happy Reading!

 

The Editorial Team

 

Aviation World

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