The COMAC ARJ21 is set to get its first international, non-China-based operator.
Indonesian carrier TransNusa will take 30 of the regional jets as part of its relaunch
next year. The ARJ21 is China’s first domestically made commercial aircraft and is
in active use with eight mainland carriers today.
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. C.A.L.C. is also a major shareholder in TransNusa,
taking up a 35.68% stake in recent times. Since its investment, the lessor has focused
on reorienting the dormant airline into a low-cost, leisure carrier.
This will be made possible with the leasing of 50 A320neos and 30 ARJ21s to support the expansion.
It was in September of 2020 that TransNusa suspended
all operations and returned its ATR fleet to lessors. However, in November of 2021,
the carrier announced that it was making a big comeback with C.A.L.C.’s fleet services.
The 30-plane order will begin in phases from 2022
through 2026. The first aircraft of the order has already been spotted in Shanghai,
meaning the airline’s January delivery timetable looks to be on schedule. While no exact details
have been revealed, the carrier will likely add several more planes this 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 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 years to come.
After serving 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, which had attracted millions of passengers before the pandemic.
Hopefully, traffic will bounce back in 2022 as Indonesia reopens its borders.
Much of the interest in the ARJ is linked to C.A.L.C.’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 fleets with cheaper and more readily available options.
For now, TransNusa will be keen 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 and its choice of aircraft? Let us know in the comments!