LONDON – The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is set to deliver ARJ21s to its first foreign customer.

The airline in question will be Indonesia-based TransNusa, which is restarting operations after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to return its six ATR72s and one ATR42 back to its lessors.

However, China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC) last month took control of the airline, taking a 35.68% stake.

CALC will be refloating the airline with a fleet of 50 Airbus A320neo and 30 ARJ21 aircraft with an option for another 30.

It is understood that the first unit, registered as B-099Y was spotted at COMAC’s facility around 11 days ago.

Transnusa is understood to take delivery of this aircraft in January, with the entire 80-strong order expected to be completed by 2026 at the latest.

This is big news for COMAC as the other 69 ARJ21s that are in service at present belong to all-Chinese carriers only.

Transnusa aims to begin operations in February 2022.