TRANSNUSA Aviation Mandiri has received an air operator’s certificate, transforming the chartered airline management company into a scheduled domestic airline operator.
TransNusa, founded in 2005, previously provided services through tactical cooperation with a number of airlines specialising in Bali and Nusa Tenggara routes.
TransNusa president director and CEO, Juvenile Jodjana, said: “The lack of services connecting the islands in East and West Nusa Tenggara, and the potential traffic growth in the area, has pushed us to turn the company into an operator.”
Jodjana said that with the Bali-Nusa Tenggara Economic Corridor set to focus on tourism development, there was much potential for developing regional routes.
“We will continue to focus on developing connections between Bali and destinations within West and East Nusa Tenggara, like Sumbawa, Bima, Labuan Bajo (Komodo), Ende, Maumere, Kupang and Alor,” he said.
Future expansion will include Timor Leste and Darwin, Australia, he added.
TransNusa now operates three 50-seater Fokker 500s and will add two more by year-end. The airline is planning to operate 10 of these aircraft by end-2012.
Panorama Destination managing director, Rocky Praputranto, said: “The area does need air transportation, even if they are small aircraft. Therefore, I welcome TransNusa’s move, especially now when demand for Komodo Island and Flores is up.”
