Jakarta, 10 December 2019 – TransNusa, an Indonesian regional airline currently operating flights connecting domestic and international travellers in east and central Indonesia, has announced a strategic cooperation with CALC, one of the world’s largest aircraft lessor, to boost its next phase of growth and expansion. The strategic cooperation was announced in a ceremony held at Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta and graced by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Mr. Wang Liping, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia.
Mr. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments (middle), Mr. Wang Liping, Minister Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia (3rd from left), Mr. Harry Bakti (3rd from right), Mr. Richard Tang, Executive Director & CFO of China Everbright Limited ("CEL") (2nd from left), Mr. Mike Poon, Executive Director & CEO of China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited ("CALC") (2nd from right), Mr. Bayu Sutanto, Managing Director of TransNusa Aviation Mandiri ("TAM") (1st from right) and Mr. Dato’ Bernard Francis, CEO of TransNusa Aviation Mandiri (1st from left)
Under the agreed framework, TransNusa will be able to tap on CALC’s expertise as a full life cycle aircraft solutions provider to enhance its ability to deliver excellent air transportation services and raise safety standards. Both companies would explore collaboration in a wide range of areas such as fleet support, aircraft asset management and aircraft maintenance, among others. CALC’s extensive industry know-how and efficient solutions will allow TransNusa to maintain and extend its perfect safety track record with zero incidents in eight years of operations and provide an ease of mind for its customers.
TransNusa will also have access to strong financing support by CALC and China Everbright Limited (CEL), a Hong Kong-based leading financial services enterprise and a major shareholder of CALC, to fuel future business expansion. With the backing from CALC and CEL, TransNusa is set to soar as a value-adding feeder airline that improves regional and international air connectivity which will in turn boost Indonesia’s economy, especially its aviation and tourism sectors.
“Our cooperation with CALC will usher a new phase of development for TransNusa. We currently operate 30 domestic routes in 24 cities and one international route between Indonesia and Timor Leste and provide crucial “last-mile” air connectivity services between destinations within Indonesia and international aviation hubs. Our expansion will provide more choices for Indonesian and international consumers, providing excellent comfort and value,” said Bayu Sutanto, Managing Director of TransNusa.
Greater air connectivity and air infrastructure development that is in line with President Joko Widodo’s commitment to establish better connectivity especially for the outer regions of Indonesia. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia has recorded a steady growth of domestic air travellers. More than 90 million passengers flew on domestic flights in 2017 compared to around 70 million passengers in 2014. TransNusa’s cooperation with CALC and expansion plans are set to meet rising demand for domestic air travel and increase the accessibility of tourist destinations spread across the archipelago that would complement the network of leading international carriers.
“CALC’s strategic partnership with TransNusa not only boosts Sino-Indo collaboration in the aviation sector, it would also facilitate the transfer of Chinese technical expertise and investments that will boost Indonesia’s aviation market, as well as bring in more international tourists including those from China. We are confident that this strategic cooperation will benefit Indonesia and Indonesians,” said Mike Poon, Executive Director and CEO of CALC.
In order to fulfil its ambitions, TransNusa has appointed a new management team consisting of veteran aviation experts to spearhead its expansion. Managing Director, Bayu Sutanto joins with over 30 years of experience in airlines operation, commercial and finance and Group CEO, Dato’ Bernard Francis who brings on board almost 20 years of experience in the aviation sector and held senior positions with AirAsia Group, Malaysia Airlines and Philippines Airlines, etc.
TransNusa also opened a new office in Jakarta that would help the airline extend its presence beyond its existing base in Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi and brings it closer to consumers, airline partners and industry regulators. The centralised location of the Jakarta office will also allow TransNusa to draw on a wider talent pool to support its growth.
