Aerospace, Global, Mro, News, Singapore
Aerospace, Aviation, Global, Mro, News, Singapore
ST Engineering AirX to launch the AirFish Voyager in Asia in 2026
- 20 Feb 2026
On 3 February 2026, ST Engineering AirX, a joint venture of ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace division, announced a pivotal milestone in the market introduction of its AirFish Wing-in-Ground (WIG) craft. This milestone marks a major step forward in redefining coastal and regional water transport across Asia, facilitated by two recent strategic partnership announcements with ferry operators, BatamFast and Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW), to launch the AirFish in Southeast Asia and India.
Since 2024, ST Engineering AirX has been collaborating with Bureau Veritas on the certification of the AirFish WIG craft, which is anticipated to achieve classification by mid-2026. The new partnerships will help to expedite the commercial introduction of the AirFish WIG craft, enhancing its position as a next-generation high-speed mobility solution for coastal and regional transport.
BatamFast, a regional ferry operator, is set to become the first operator in the world to launch commercial services with the 10-seater AirFish Voyager, introducing the innovative Wing-in-Ground (WIG) vessel on the popular Singapore–Batam route.
BatamFast will lease and operate an AirFish Voyager craft, with operations expected to commence in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
In a media release, Mr Chua Choon Leng, General Manager of BatamFast said that the launch of the AirFish will underscore “BatamFast’s commitment to faster, more efficient and more memorable travel experiences.”
Together with ST Engineering AirX, both parties will also explore expanding operations to additional destinations across Southeast Asia.
Chua Choon Leng, General Manager, BatamFast (left) and Jeffrey Lam, President Commercial Aerospace, ST Engineering (right), at the signing ceremony to introduce AirFish Voyager to the ferry route between Singapore and Batam, Indonesia, at the Singapore Airshow 2026. Photos: ST Engineering
ST Engineering AirX will also be working with Wings Over Water Ferries (WOW) to introduce the AirFish Voyager to India. In the agreement, WOW will lease and operate up to four AirFish Voyager craft beginning in late 2026, subject to route approvals from local authorities.
The initial rollout planned will target high-demand coastal states and sectors with strong tourism and connectivity, including regions like Andaman and Nicobar, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
Beyond fleet deployment, both companies will also explore establishing local assembly, manufacturing, training and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the AirFish Voyager in India, enabling scalable Wing-in-Ground operations across coastal states with high-potential demand.
Positioned as a new category of high-speed over-water transport, the AirFish Voyager, developed by ST Engineering AirX, is currently being assembled in Singapore. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 knots (approximately 185 km/h), the craft glides just a few metres above the water by harnessing aerodynamic ground effect. The AirFish Voyager operates under maritime-class requirements without the need for traditional runway infrastructure. With capacity for up to 10 passengers including crew, the craft is designed to serve inter-island connectivity, tourism, premium travel and other time-critical mobility needs, offering an alternative for fast and efficient coastal transport.
Mr Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering said, “These two agreements mark a significant development in our journey to bring the AirFish platform to market. By partnering with leading operators in the maritime travel industry, we are laying the foundation for Wing-in-Ground technology to become a new, high-speed mobility solution for the region.”
“Together with our partners, we look forward to accelerating the adoption of this innovative craft and transforming how coastal and regional communities connect,” he added.
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