Former Asian Spirit owner is back in travel business

MANILA, Philippines - Former Asian Spirit majority shareholder Archie Po is back in the travel business.

This time, however, Po is building up an international air ambulance service/executive transport based in Singapore.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Po revealed that he has acquired at least four aircraft for his fleet – two based in Singapore and two in the Philippines.

Under his new corporate entity, Executive Jet Aircraft (EJA), Po is providing an international air ambulance service, mainly chartered by insurance firms, hospitals and individuals needing medical evacuation.

Majority of EJA’s business is “90 percent to 95 percent air ambulance,” Po said. However, the aircraft can also be used as executive transport.”

The air ambulance service, Po said, has actually been in existence for over three years.

He added he has already invested almost $5 million for his air ambulance transport business expects to invest an additional $2 million to expand the service.

For his Singapore-based operation, Po said he plans to have at least four aircraft based in the island nation. The aircraft should have a mid-range capability to fly over 2,000 miles.

In the Philippines, Po said EJA maintains a smaller Citation aircraft which can only fly just over 1,000 miles.

EJA’s farthest service, to date, Po said was a medical evacuation from Mongolia to Singapore, he said.

Po explained the air ambulance service is based in Singapore mainly because of the lack of bureaucratic red tape in securing the necessary permits.

An air ambulance service has to be able to mobilize in as short as 45 minutes. Thus, while Po would have wanted to base EJA’s operation in the Philippines, he could not do so because of the bureaucratic red tape which could hamper the quick and efficient operation of the air ambulance service.

Po further clarified that EJA only provides the aircraft and air crew. Normally, the insurance firm or individual provides the medical team.

Aside from Singapore, Po said EJA is also eyeing possible operations in Africa and eventually plans to establish operations in other countries.