JAKARTA: Indonesia’s aviation sector is set to welcome two new players this year with the launch of private airlines – Indonesia Airlines and Fly Jaya.
The arrival of these carriers is expected to help bridge the gap between the country’s current operating fleet of 410 aircraft from the ideal 750 needed in order to meet growing passenger demand.
Singapore-based Calypte Holding, which officially registered its Indonesian subsidiary PT Indonesia Airlines Group (INA) on March 7, aims to operate international flights to and from the country.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten, will become its main hub.
Despite the similar name, Indonesia Airlines is legally distinct from PT Indonesian Airlines Avipatria, a carrier that started operation in March 2002 and shut down a year later.
“In the first phase, we will operate 20 aircraft, which will be purchased gradually,” said Iskandar, chief exectuive of Indonesia Airlines and executive chairman of Calypte Holding, in a statement on Sunday, as quoted by Kumparan.
Its initial fleet will include 10 narrow body aircraft, either Airbus A321neo or A321LR models, alongside 10 wide body jets, a mix of Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787-9s, he added.
Meanwhile, Indonesia-based PT Surya Mataram Nusantara, operating as Fly Jaya, is preparing to launch operations this year.
Unlike Indonesia Airlines, which focuses on international routes, Fly Jaya is set to serve short-haul domestic flights using a fleet of ATR 72-500 aircraft.
Last week, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi revealed that two of Fly Jaya’s aircraft are already in operation.
His statement reinforces the ministry’s commitment to fast-tracking the airline’s registration, reducing the usual six-month process to just three months.
“We hope Fly Jaya can begin operations before Aidilfitri so it can support the exodus season during the holiday period,” Dudy said during a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission on Jan 23.
According to the ministry, Fly Jaya has chosen Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta as its home base and has already registered two initial routes, which are Jakarta-Yogyakarta and Jakarta-Balikpapan.
Indonesia’s aviation landscape is dominated by two major groups, state-owned Garuda Indonesia, along with its low-cost subsidiary Citilink, as well as Lion Air Group, which operates Lion Air, Batik Air and Wings Air.
Other existing players also include AirAsia, Sriwijaya Air and TransNusa.
In the past few years, however, more airlines have emerged, namely Super Air Jet, which is affiliated with Lion Air group and Pertamina’s subsidiary Pelita Air, as well as BBN Airlines.
Newcomer BBN Airlines entered the market with passenger transportation services in September of last year. However, Dudy revealed that the airline had since shifted its focus to aircraft leasing.
“They didn’t seem fully prepared or simply decided to change their strategy,” he said.
Meanwhile, flag carrier Garuda is adding 20 more aircraft to its fleet, which currently consists of 58 planes, including 39 Boeing 737-800NG narrow body jets, seven Boeing 777-300ER and 12 Airbus A330 planes. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
