On September 27, 2024, a new player emerged in Indonesia's aviation industry with regular passenger flights. BBN Airlines officially received approval to operate flights between Jakarta and Surabaya. In the future, the airline plans to launch two more routes: Jakarta-Balikpapan (East Kalimantan) and Jakarta-Denpasar. The management expects to implement these routes as early as October 2024.
The airline operates out of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Its fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which previously belonged to an Indian budget airline but have since been ferried from Delhi to Jakarta. For now, there are only three aircraft in the fleet, but by 2027, BBN plans to expand to 40 planes. Additionally, the airline is currently awaiting the arrival of a Boeing 737-400.
Although BBN is a relatively new airline in the field of regular passenger flights, it has extensive experience in providing ACMI services (aircraft leasing, maintenance, insurance, and crew provision). BBN Airlines Indonesia, founded in Jakarta in 2022, is a local subsidiary of the Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group.
"Strategically located at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, BBN Airlines Indonesia serves as a crucial link for customers across Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region. The airline’s wide range of services includes reliable and efficient air transportation, with an unwavering commitment to meeting customer needs. With extensive experience and resources, BBN Airlines Indonesia is poised to continue playing a key role in supporting the growth and success of airlines in the Southern Hemisphere," the company stated in a press release.
BBN Airlines Chairman Martynas Grigas previously stated that the company aims to fill a gap in the commercial aviation market by providing mid-tier flights, positioning itself alongside carriers such as Pelita Air, operated by state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina, and Sriwijaya Air.
The airline’s first regular flight operates under flight number 7B763/764. Planes fly daily between Jakarta and Surabaya, seven days a week. The flight takes less than two hours, and passengers are offered water and sandwiches.
BBN Airlines Indonesia has become the 14th regular passenger carrier in the country.
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