ER
PT TRANSNUSA Aviation Mandiri or TransNusa has brought in two ATR 72-600 aircraft units out of a total of four targeted to be operated this year.
According to TransNusa Managing Director Bayu Sutanto said the purchase of the turbo propeller-engined aircraft was an airline program to rejuvenate the aircraft. Meanwhile, the delivery of the eight aircraft will be carried out in two stages.
“The first 2 units have arrived 2 units. Meanwhile, the remaining 2 units will arrive in the second semester, namely August and September this year. The rejuvenation of the aircraft is carried out to replace the Fokker 50 aircraft which is currently no longer being produced. However, it is reluctant to mention the total investment needed to bring in the 8 aircraft units,” Bayu said.
Bayu explained, we have entered into rental contracts with Nordic Aviation Capital for four units and the rest with other lessor companies. The source of rejuvenation funds comes in part from the proceeds from the sale of Fokker 50 and share capital injection.
“The total number of Fokker 50 aircraft sold has reached 5 units, namely 2 units in 2016 and 2017, 1 unit this year. Of the 5 units, he explained, 3 units had been operating in Kenya, while 2 units were in the Philippines. Until now, the number of aircraft owned by TransNusa consists of 6 ATR 72-600 units, 1 ATR 42-500 unit, and 2 British Aerospace (BAe) units 146,” he noted.
He added, previously, the airline that served flights in Eastern Indonesia, especially in Nusa Tenggara and Bali, succeeded in selling two Fokker 50 aircraft units to Leading Edge Air Services Corp (Leascor), a subsidiary of Aviation Cadet Development Inc. (ACDI) from the Philippines.
“Tthe reason for the sale was because the Fokker 50 aircraft was no longer manufactured. Since 2014, the airline has been rejuvenating the Fokker fleet by replacing it with ATR aircraft. Leascor was very satisfied with the purchase of the Fokker 50 aircraft. TransNusa has provided maximum services to the buyer,” he concluded.
This is evidenced by the track record of maintenance and spare parts have been done well, so as to get a certificate of airworthiness (Certificate of Airworthiness) quickly. [bisnis.com/photo special]
