Embraer makes Indonesian breakthrough
Embraer has made a breakthrough in the Indonesian market, with Kalstar Aviation taking two E-195s on lease through Aldus Aviation.
Kalstar Aviation’s main focus is Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) and it also operates Boeing 737s and ATR turboprops. The Indonesian carrier said it would like to see its Embraer fleet expand to “more than ten” units in the future. It is looking to expand to international destinations such as Kuching in the Malaysian sector of Borneo.
Senior executives of the carrier were in Singapore to attend a presentation by the Brazilian OEM on its new E2 family, including a cabin mock-up.
CEO Andi Masyhur says that he is basing his strategy on Brazilian carrier Azul Brazilian Airlines, which operates ATRs, Embraer E-Jets and Airbus aircraft. Senior Kalstar executives said that they are likely to follow a two-fleet strategy around Embraer and ATR aircraft.
While Embraer had a good year in the Asia-Pacific last year, with major campaign wins in India, China and Japan, it didn’t manage a single sale in South-East Asia.
VP Asia-Pacific commercial aviation Mark Dunnachie, says that talks with Indonesian carrier Sriwijaya Air are “on going”, while other target markets include the Philippines and Malaysia, where the change at Malaysia Airlines is seen as an opportunity.
Dunnachie says that the Embraer will use its own pilot pool to support Kalstar and added that the OEM was looking to add to its MRO network in the region.
