Indonesia-based TransNusa completed the first passenger flight using the China-made ARJ-21.
After TransNusa gained the air operator certificates for the aircraft from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Indonesia (DGCA), the airline operated the inaugural flight of its ARJ-21 – developed and built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) – between Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali ) on April 18.
Based in Indonesia, TransNusa was the first airline outside of China to acquire the Chinese-made regional jets. Through its major stakeholders China Aircraft Leasing Corporation (CALC) and China Everbright Limited, the carrier ordered 30 ARJ-21s.
“CALC joins with TransNusa to congratulate the ARJ-21’s official commercial operation in Indonesia operated by TransNusa today. We are full of confidence in the performance of the ARJ21 aircraft, in the operation and support services system set by COMAC in Indonesia, and in the prospect of the integration of the aviation industry and finance development of the industry chain in China,” said Winnie Lu, Executive Director, Deputy CEO of CALC, and Commissioner of TransNusa.
“We sincerely thank TransNusa and CALC for their trust. This first commercial flight marks the official start of the ‘new voyage’ of ARJ-21 aircraft operating in the Indonesian market. COMAC will do its best in operating and service support, closely cooperating with TransNusa to provide passengers with a more comfortable air experience, and contributing to Indonesia’s air transportation network and market development,” added Wu Yongliang, Vice President and CFO, COMAC.
TransNusa’s ARJ-21 aircraft have a single-class configuration with 95 seats.
Fit for the Market
The ARJ-21 is a short-medium range turbofan regional jet with a flight range of 2225-3700km. According to CALC, the aircraft is suitable for Indonesia’s climate and geographical operating environment with its high-temperature performance and cross-wind resistance
In addition, TransNusa CEO Bernard Francis added that the aircraft would help support Indonesia’s tourism industry.
“We are introducing the ARJ21-700 aircraft which is the right fit for the Southeast Asian market and adapting to market demand with the optimistic configuration. We believe that ARJ21 aircraft can well match the rapidly developing aviation market in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and provide passengers with high-quality air travel options,” Francis said.
For COMAC and CALC, the first flight of the ARJ-21 outside of China is not just a milestone of its first flight, but its entry into the major ASEAN market of Indonesia.
“Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN and one of the fastest-growing air travel markets in the world. China Everbright Limited is very optimistic about the Indonesian aviation market. We will continue to support the development of CALC’s business in the ASEAN region to provide better and higher quality services for the regional market,” said Zhang Mingao, Executive Director, President of China Everbright Limited/Chairman, CALC.
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