Singapore, ST Aerospace unveiled a new brand, AERIA Luxury Interiors, as part of the global branding programme for its VIP completion and refurbishment business.

Inspired by the word Aerial, the new brand underscores its offering luxurious aerial interiors tailored to meet customer’s need.

ST Aerospace also announced the appointment of Ron Soret as the General Manager of Completions to lead a core team of industry experts for this new brand. A 30-year veteran who has held senior positions at various major VIP completion centres, Ron brings broad management, technology and innovation experience to AERIA.

Soret is assisted by Director of Production Mike Childers, Director of Sales and Marketing Rob Tomenendal, Manager of Planning Mike Blair and Manager of Quality Dean Wilkins. The team is based in its affiliate company STA San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.

“With a combined experience of over 150 years and completions exceeding 50 VIP and Head of State aircraft, this new team brings to AERIA a wealth of knowledge, expertise and relationships that will enhance AERIA’s position as a VIP completions Centre of Excellence. We are excited at the opportunities ahead and are looking forward to providing long term value to our customers.” ANG Chye Kiat, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Maintenance & Modification, ST Aerospace

Complementing the team is the recently added affiliate DRB Aviation Consultants. An engineering design specialist located in San Antonio, Texas, DRB Aviation has been supporting multiple VIP completions over the past 12 years. A holder of the Organisation Designation Authorisation (ODA) awarded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DRB Aviation is authorised to issue FAA Supplemental Type Certificates with minimal oversight from the FAA. It also allows improved control over the schedule of certification activities of the VIP completions, to ensure timely delivery of the aircraft back to the aircraft owner.

In addition to the formation of a new team, one of the aircraft maintenance hangars at STA San Antonio is currently being converted to a VIP completions hangar. The hangar will be fitted with new insulation, skylights and a polished floor, and will house office spaces, conference rooms and various workshops for cabinetry, upholstery and avionics/electrical work. Renovation work is expected to take about two months to complete, after which it will be ready to welcome aircraft for VIP completion and refurbishment.

Source: ST Aerospace