Indonesian company Sampoerna aims to take a Cessna Citation XLS in January and PT East Indonesia Air Taxi & Charter Service has acquired its first jet, a Fokker 100.
The two transactions mark the resurgence of the Indonesian business aircraft market and manufacturers expect another spate of acquisitions over the next year.
Sampoerna transports VIPs using a Bell 427 and Eurocopter BO105. The helicopters are operated in-house but industry sources say it plans to hire another company, likely Travira Air, to fly the Citation. The jet will be used to fly up to eight VIPs domestically and regionally.
There are a handful of Indonesian-owned large business jets and most are registered overseas, such as a Singapore-based, Cayman Island-registered Bombardier Global Express owned by the Sampoerna family. The family has also ordered a Global Express XRS.
Indonesians also own a Boeing Business Jet and Gulfstream V which are based in Jakarta and are US-registered. Manufacturers expect a surge in locally-registered aircraft because Indonesian registration is required to operate domestically. There are only a few locally-registered jets, including a Citation VII and Hawker 800XP. Indonesian operators say demand is increasing for lower-end charters. PT Exspres Transportasi Antarbenua placed into service a Fokker 100 and Embraer EMB-120 earlier this year and is looking for a second EMB-120.
PT East plans to operate its Fokker 100, acquired from lessor AerCap, on corporate shuttles for its parent.
Source: Flight International
