Contributor - Asia

Jennifer Meszaros

Comac’s ARJ21-700 regional jet officially made its overseas debut on Tuesday with the first revenue flight by Indonesian carrier TransNusa Aviation from Jakarta to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, marking the start of commercial operations.
Headquartered in Jakarta, TransNusa took delivery of its first ARJ21 last December, effectively becoming the first operator of the type outside China. Preparations for acquiring the narrowbody began in 2016 after China Aircraft Leasing&nbsp;Group (CALC) placed a firm order for 30 ARJ21s with an option to purchase 30 more. At the time, the Chinese lessor signaled intent to support an unnamed Indonesia-based operator through acquisition, investment, and aircraft leasing to build an all-ARJ21 fleet.
“As part of its support for [Indonesia’s tourism] program, TransNusa has introduced ARJ21 aircraft suitable for the Southeast Asian market,” said TransNusa’s CEO, Bernard Francis, in a statement. “With the best configuration to meet the market demand, we believe that the ARJ21 aircraft can well serve the huge aviation market in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, providing passengers with high-quality air travel options.”
In September 2019, Indonesian and Chinese regulators established a working arrangement to support type validation and continued airworthiness for the ARJ21. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted the narrowbody a type certificate in February 2022.
In December 2019, TransNusa signed a cooperation agreement with CALC over fleet support, aircraft asset management, and maintenance. In March 2020, CALC acquired a 35.68 percent stake in TransNusa via a $28 million subscription agreement with Aviation Synergy—a Cayman Islands-incorporated company that owns Singapore-based Naga Pacific Holdings, which in turn owns 49 percent of TransNusa.
“We are full of confidence in the performance of [the] ARJ21 aircraft, the operation service support system in Indonesia, and the development prospects of China’s aviation industry chain,” added CALC deputy CEO Liu Wanting.
Seating 95 passengers in an all-economy-class layout, TransNusa’s ARJ21 came under the terms of an order placed with CALC in January 2021 for 30 of the type. Comac plans to stagger deliveries of the remaining jets up to 2026.
“The first flight marks the first ARJ21 aircraft in Indonesia [and] officially opens the new voyage of international market operations,” said Comac deputy general manager Wu Yongliang. “Comac will make every effort to provide aircraft operation support and various service guarantees, and work with TransNusa to provide passengers with a more comfortable air experience, helping Indonesia’s air traffic network construction and air transport market development.”
Speaking with Malaysian media, TransNusa’s Francis hinted at building an ASEAN-based facility to support ARJ21 expansion plans, naming Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore as possible hosts. While TransNusa is the first foreign operator in the region to throw support behind the ARJ21 program, the CAAC has moved to promote the narrowbody among ASEAN regulators, including visiting Cambodia in 2019.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Comac’s ARJ21 Regional Jet Enters Service in Indonesia

TransNusa Aviation operated the first revenue flight of the ARJ21outside China with service from Jakarta to Bali.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft