PT Linus Airways of Indonesia Leases Two BAe 146-200s from BAE Systems

PT Linus Airways, a recently established Indonesian airline, has signed lease agreements with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft for two BAe 146-200 jetliners. Delivery of the two aircraft (E2204 and E2210) will take place this summer.

PT Linus Airways, a recently -established Indonesian airline, has signed lease agreements with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft for two BAe 146-200 jetliners. Delivery of the two aircraft (E2204 and E2210) will take place this summer.

Linus, which is short for Lintasan Nusantara (bridge across the archipelago), has the aim to fill the air transport gap in the country between the existing legacy carriers, and the newly formed Low Cost airlines.

The airline was originally incorporated by Mr. Julius Indra in 2004 and subsequently sold to Indonesian conglomerate, PT Transpacific Securindo. Mr Indra remains a minority shareholder and Chief Executive Officer. He said today: “We are planning to offer services to eastern Indonesia which will make a major contribution to the economic development of that area. We look forward to commencing services soon with the BAe 146 which we have selected as the ideal aircraft to serve our routes.”

Linus’ planned network is predominantly spread across the less dense, less competitive eastern half of the Indonesian archipelago. All flights will originate from Jakarta and other hubs to destinations that will include Medan, Palembang, Pekan Baru, Batam, Semarang and Tanjug Padan.

Linus has positioned itself as a lower-cost service carrier and each aircraft will be equipped with 98 leather seats in a one-class configuration.

The two BAe 146-200s will be the first airline passenger versions of the BAe 146 family to operate in Indonesia. However, there are two executive versions of the aircraft operating in the country. A VVIP Avro RJ85 is operated by Pelita Air Service for the President’s Fleet and Metro TV/Eagle Aviation operates a corporate BAe 146-100.

Linus has contracted with PT Indo Pelita Air Service, an Indonesia DGCA-approved MRO organisation for its maintenance requirements. This company also maintains the Avro RJ85 and BAe 146.