From Bangkok to Paris: A Journey Through Airspace, Insight, and Gratitude.

Last week, I gave you a glimpse of the travel madness I was in the middle of – long flights, time zones colliding, and a temporary shutdown of Middle Eastern airspace that had me wondering how I’d get home. This week, I’m still on the road, but finally catching my breath enough to share more of the story.

Discovering the Asia-Pacific Aviation Landscape

Let’s rewind to Bangkok – a city that never fails to fascinate. Beyond the jet lag and flight chaos, the trip itself was phenomenal. I was there to explore the Asian business aviation ecosystem, and what I found was a dynamic, incredibly diverse region where each country charted its own path – with different laws, varying stages of development, and distinct approaches to business aviation. And all of it, absolutely worth paying attention to.

This wasn’t a trip filled with back-to-back speeches or headline moments. It was about listening. Deep, intentional listening – not to respond, but to understand. I spent a lot of time observing the landscape, getting a feel for the lay of the land, and seeing how Aruba’s Aircraft Registry could contribute meaningfully to the evolution of aviation in this part of the world.

Connecting, Collaborating, and Sparking Ideas

I also scoped out the legal frameworks for registration and finance across the region. It’s complex terrain, but also filled with opportunities. Ideas have been bubbling in my head ever since. I’ll need to produce a white paper or two to move this conversation forward – and I’m looking forward to doing exactly that.

What stood out just as strongly were the people, especially the powerhouse women I met from the Asian Business Aviation Association (ASBA). These professionals like – Amy Yang, Violet Kwek, Hui Ling Teo, and Aida Ismail – each represent different countries and disciplines, and each one is a full-blown expert in her field. What impressed me even more was their shared commitment to education and outreach. They’re organizing school programs and awareness initiatives to bring business aviation closer to young people – showing them that there’s far more to our industry than just being a pilot, an engineer, or even a lawyer. There’s space in the sky for all of them, and these women are lighting the runway.

I was so inspired by their efforts that I’ve accepted an invitation to join a program in Malaysia, lecture in the Phillipines and to guest lecture on aviation at a university in Singapore – a chance to share insights, open up conversations, and hopefully inspire a few future leaders of our industry along the way.

I also met a couple of power dudes, but one man who truly stood out was William Heinecke, CEO of Minor International. Don’t let the name fool you – his business footprint is anything but minor. With a global reach in hospitality and aviation, he spoke about how tourism and aviation go hand in hand – not just in theory, but in practice. His story, his presence, and his success were a strong reminder that the intersection of these industries is where growth, opportunity, and impact really take flight.

Heinecke also put those ideas on paper. In The Entrepreneur: 25 Golden Rules for the Global Business Manager. has officially landed on my reading list. In his book, he explains how he built Minor International and continues to drive his leadership. 

Airspace Uncertainty and a Moment of Reflection

When it was time to head back, I flew out through Doha, Qatar  – long theway Benghazi, & Tehran, a few familiar names on the flight tracker, but still a route that I was not taking for take for granted especially not after what happened days earlier, when Iranian missile strikes temporarily shut down Qatar’s airspace.

Being halfway across the world from home while watching those events unfold in real time was a stark reminder of how precious – and how fragile – life really is. It forces you to pause and take an internal inventory. Are your affairs in order? Is your estate planning in place for when you eventually expire? It’s something I’ve been reflecting on – and I’ll admit, there are a few loose ends I need to tighten up myself.

And you don’t have to be traveling through potential war zones to do some basic estate planning. Making a will, setting up your documents, and ensuring your loved ones are taken care of – these are essential steps that everyone should take. If you’re following along and need a nudge or a little help getting started, I’d be happy to assist.

A Reunion in Paris and the Next Chapter

Back in Paris, I was reunited with my son, Gavin, who is just starting a new chapter of his life here after completing his initial studies at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa. He’ll be pursuing his Supercior Cuisine training at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, the legendary culinary institute, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary. A new city, a new chapter. The weather, a swing from a winter if -25 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius. We spent the weekend walking, talking, sampling the French cuisine, planning his future, and helping him settle into the rhythm of Parisian life. It’s a big step – and a beautiful one to witness as a father.

We started Sunday with a visit to Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. It was Sunday, and we attended Mass, taking a moment to pray and give thanks – for safe travels, for new beginnings, for all the blessings that keep showing up in our lives, even amid the chaos.

Monday a.m. I get to meet colleagues in Paris, learn a thing or two about the French Code of Civil Proceedings, including La Cour de cassation, and pick up some original French court documents that will accompany me across the Atlantic. 

Until Next Week…

By mid-next week, I’ll be back on the island, and we’ll connect again from there. Until then, thank you for traveling this journey with me – through the skies and stories.

For more columns and my latest podcasts, visit www.lincolngomez.com.

See you next week!

— Lincoln