Regional operator Kalstar Aviation is to become the first airline to debut E-Jets in Indonesia, after Embraer announced that two E195s will start operations with the airline.
Kalstar Aviation, which is based in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan on Borneo Island, will lease the aircraft from Aldus Aviation in Ireland.
“We are proud to be the first Embraer operator in Indonesia and we look forward to enhancing our operations, especially in the Kalimantan area, with the introduction of these E195s,” said Andi Masyhur, chief executive officer, Kalstar Aviation.
““Indonesia’s geography presents an ideal platform for the E-Jets. Its secondary and tertiary cities spread across many islands offer opportunities for enhanced connectivity and frequency.”
Paulo Cesar Silva
President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation
The E195s will operate to and from Kalimantan on routes within Indonesia, though the exact routes are yet to be announced by the airline.
“The E195 gives us an opportunity to open new routes and provide better connectivity, frequency and passenger comfort to the people of Kalimantan. We believe that passengers will greatly value the two-plus-two cabin layout that offers unrivalled comfort in this segment,” added Andi Masyhur.
Currently, E-Jets are operated by 65 airlines from 45 countries and hold a 62 percent market share in the division of jets with capacity up to 130 seats.
“Indonesia’s geography presents an ideal platform for the E-Jets. Its secondary and tertiary cities spread across many islands offer opportunities for enhanced connectivity and frequency,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, president and chief executive officer, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
“I would like to congratulate Kalstar Aviation as they boost their fleet and enter their next growth phase. We are confident that the E-Jets’ sound economics and enhanced passenger comfort will add value to their operations,” added Paulo Cesar Silva.
Kalstar Aviation was established in 2007 and has licenses for 95 domestic and 22 regional routes, and operates a fleet of three ATR 42-300s, four ATR 72-600s, two Boeing 737-500s and one 737-300. Last month, Air Lease announced it will place an additional ATR 72-600 with Kalstar Aviation in the second half of 2015.
In our chart, below, we highlight the main points in the airline's Indonesian scheduled network based upon flight schedules in January 2015.