TransNusa Set To Become COMAC’s First International ARJ21 Operator

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The COMAC ARJ21 is set to get its first international operator. Indonesian carrier TransNusa will take the 30 of the regional jets as part of its relaunch next year. The ARJ21 is China’s first domestically made aircraft and is in active use with eight mainland carriers today.

COMAC ARJ21
The ARJ21 came into service in 2016 with Chengdu Airlines. Photo: Getty Images

Going aboard

Five years after entering service, the ARJ21 is set to reach its first foreign operator. According to AviacioOnline, Indonesian carrier TransNusa has signed a lease agreement with lessor China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC) for 30 ARJ21s, with options for another 30 in the future.

CALC is also a major shareholder in TransNusa, taking up a 35.68% stake recently. Since its investment, the lessor has focused on reorienting the dormant airline into a low-cost, leisure carrier. This will be made possible by a fleet of 50 A320neos and 30 ARJ21s from CALC to support the expansion.

TransNusa ATR72
TransNusa previously only flew ATR72s and 42s, making the fleet change a significant one. Photo: Ken Fielding via Wikimedia Commons

TransNusa suspended all operations in September 2020 and returned its ATR fleet to lessors. However, last month, the carrier announced that it is making a big comeback with CALC’s fleet services.

Starting soon

The 30-plane order will begin in phases from 2022 through 2026. This first aircraft has already been spotted in Shanghai, meaning the January delivery timetable is on schedule. While no exact details have been revealed, the carrier will likely add several more planes next year to boost operations.

TransNusa is a notable step for the ARJ21. While the plane has been in Chinese skies for over five years, it has been absent from any other country, leaving it out of the mainstream aircraft picks. The introduction in Indonesia will serve as a launchpad for the plane to expand its international sales.

Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, coming in fourth globally today. If the ARJ21 finds success with TransNusa, more carriers could come calling in the coming years.

Expanding

After seeing much of its market in east Indonesia, TransNusa will use its new fleet to expand into more destinations. Initial destinations include Bali, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta. The three are popular leisure and business routes, attracting millions of passengers before the pandemic. Hopefully, traffic will bounce back in 2022 as Indonesia reopens its borders.

Shanghai Pudong ARJ21
The ARJ21 is in operation with a variety of Chinese carriers, ranging from China Southern to Gengis Khan Airlines. Photo: Getty Images

Much of the interest in the ARJ is linked to CALC’s investment in the airline. Currently, the aircraft is in service with eight Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Southern, China Express, Chengdu Airlines, OTT Airlines, and more. However, foreign operations could shore up interest from other airlines looking to diversify their fleet.

For now, TransNusa will be excited to relaunch in February 2022 as a low-cost carrier in the reopening market. Keep an eye out for this expanding airline and the status of the ARJ21 in the country next year.

What do you think about TransNusa Airlines’ expansion? Let us know in the comments!



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