TransNusa Pioneers Indonesia's Growing Interest in Chinese-Made Aircraft • Warta Indonesia En. Ver

WARTAINDOENSIA EN – Indonesian airlines are increasingly looking to Chinese-made aircraft. This is evidenced by the purchase of 30 ARJ21-700 aircraft by TransNusa from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in December 2022.

This purchase makes TransNusa the first Indonesian airline to operate Chinese-made aircraft. TransNusa plans to operate the aircraft on domestic routes and to some cities in Southeast Asia.

The ARJ21-700 is a regional jet with a capacity of 78-97 passengers and a range of 3,700 kilometers. It is claimed to have state-of-the-art technology and meet international safety standards.

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by TransNusa has been welcomed by the Indonesian government. Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that the cooperation is expected to improve the quality of air travel in Indonesia.

Budi also lobbied COMAC to invest in the Indonesian aviation industry. He stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership between Indonesia and China.

COMAC-made aircraft have been the subject of much discussion lately. One of the most notable is the C919, which is considered a competitor to Airbus and Boeing.

The C919 is a jet passenger aircraft developed in China, in accordance with international airworthiness standards and has independent intellectual property rights. It has a range of up to 5,555 kilometers.

The C919 will be a direct competitor to the narrow-body A320 and B737 aircraft that are most commonly used for domestic and regional international flights.

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by TransNusa is a significant step in the development of the Indonesian aviation industry. It shows that Indonesian airlines are beginning to look at Chinese-made aircraft, which are becoming increasingly competitive.

Trend of Chinese-Made Aircraft Purchases

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by TransNusa is not the only one to have occurred in Indonesia. In 2023, Pelita Air also purchased 10 ARJ21-700 aircraft.

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by Indonesian airlines shows that the trend of Chinese-made aircraft purchases in Indonesia is increasing. This is due to a number of factors, including:

The more competitive prices of Chinese-made aircraft compared to those of Airbus and Boeing.
The increasing quality of Chinese-made aircraft.
Chinese government policies that promote the export of Chinese-made aircraft.

Impact of Chinese-Made Aircraft Purchases

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by Indonesian airlines has a number of impacts, including:

Increasing competition in the Indonesian aviation industry.
Increasing choices for airline passengers.
Increasing the potential for cooperation between Indonesia and China in the field of aviation.

The Indonesian government welcomes the trend of Chinese-made aircraft purchases by Indonesian airlines. The government hopes that this will improve the quality of air travel in Indonesia and boost national economic growth.

Opportunities for Indonesia-China Cooperation

The purchase of Chinese-made aircraft by Indonesian airlines also opens up opportunities for cooperation between Indonesia and China in the field of aviation. This cooperation can cover a variety of areas, including:

Technology transfer
Joint aircraft production
Pilot and technician training cooperation

This cooperation can benefit both countries. Indonesia can gain new technology and skills in the field of aviation, while China can expand its market for its manufactured aircraft.