
Aviastar Indonesia is a relatively small airline with a humble beginning. It was established in 1994.
The airline started with a single aircraft, a Boeing 737-200. Over the years, the fleet has grown to include more planes, but it remains a relatively small operation.
Aviastar Indonesia has a limited route network, operating flights to a few domestic destinations in Indonesia.
Aviastar History
Aviastar was established on June 12, 2000 by Capt. Sugeng Triyono and his 4 colleagues.
They started as a helicopter charter services company with leased helicopters, but by 2003, they began operating fixed-wing aircraft with two units of DeHavilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters.
Aviastar's main operation base is located in Jakarta (CGK) with other bases in Palangkaraya (PKY), Balikpapan (BPN), Makassar (UPG), Nabire (NBX), and Denpasar (DPS).
The airline currently operates 4 units of DHC-6-300 and 3 units of BAe 146-200, with plans to add 3 more DHC-6-300 units to its fleet before the end of 2013.
Early Years
Aviastar was established on June 12, 2000, by Capt. Sugeng Triyono and his 4 colleagues.
The company started as a helicopter charter services company with various leased helicopters.
Aviastar began operating fixed-wing aircraft in 2003 with two units of DeHavilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters.
It dropped its rotary-wing operations and focused on air transportation services.
Aviastar's main operation base is located in Jakarta (CGK) with other operation bases in various locations.
Notable Milestones
Aviastar's history is filled with notable milestones that have shaped the company into what it is today. Aviastar was established in 1996 as a joint venture between Russia's United Aircraft Corporation and the Dutch company Stork Aerospace Group.
The company's first major achievement was the delivery of its first aircraft, a Tu-204, in 1999. This marked a significant milestone in Aviastar's development as it demonstrated the company's ability to design and manufacture complex aircraft.
In 2002, Aviastar began producing the Tu-204SM, a variant of the Tu-204 with improved performance and efficiency. This aircraft featured a number of upgrades, including a new engine and avionics system.
Aviastar has also been involved in the production of several military aircraft, including the Tu-214R, a reconnaissance aircraft used by the Russian military. The Tu-214R is a variant of the Tu-214 passenger aircraft, but with a number of modifications to support its military role.
Aviastar's production facilities have undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including the installation of new equipment and the expansion of its manufacturing capacity. This has enabled the company to increase its production rates and meet the growing demand for its aircraft.
Aviastar Fleet
Aviastar operates a fleet of aircraft that are well-suited for its regional operations. The company's fleet consists of a mix of planes that can handle various tasks.
The Aviastar fleet includes four De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters, which are versatile planes that can handle a range of tasks. These planes are in service as of August 2019.
In addition to the Twin Otters, Aviastar also operates three British Aerospace 146-200 aircraft. These planes are a great asset to the fleet, offering a high level of performance and reliability.
Aviastar also has one further De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter on order, which will be a welcome addition to the fleet.
Here is a summary of Aviastar's fleet:
Aviastar Safety
Aviastar has had its share of accidents and incidents over the years. On 9 April 2009, an Aviastar BAe 146-300 crashed to a mountain near Wamena, Papua, Indonesia, after a failed second approach for landing at Wamena Airport.
Unfortunately, there have been fatalities in some of these incidents. On 2 October 2015, an Aviastar DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed near Palopo 11 minutes after takeoff, resulting in the loss of all lives on board.
Aviastar's safety record has been marred by these incidents, which have likely affected its reputation and operations.
Accidents and Incidents
Aviastar has been involved in two significant accidents in recent years. On 9 April 2009, an Aviastar BAe 146-300 crashed to a mountain near Wamena, Papua, Indonesia, after a failed second approach for landing at Wamena Airport.
The accident on 2 October 2015 was particularly devastating, with an Aviastar DHC-6 Twin Otter, registered as PK-BRM, crashing near Palopo just 11 minutes after takeoff. All 12 people on board, including 4 adults, 2 children, and 1 baby, tragically lost their lives.
The Aviastar BAe 146-300 that crashed in 2009 was an 18-year-old airframe, last listed as owned by Aviastar, with serial number E3189 and registered PK-BRD. It was flying from Jayapura to Wamena when the accident occurred.
Here are the details of the two accidents:
Flight Restrictions
Aviastar Mandiri has suspended operations in Central Kalimantan province due to the local government withdrawing subsidies.
The airline had operated regular flights to several remote destinations in the province, including Muara Teweh Beringin and Kuala Pembuang.
Aviastar continues to serve destinations across East Kalimantan, South and West Sulawesi, Bali, Java, and Sumatra using a fleet of eight aircraft.
The airline's operations in Central Kalimantan were severely affected by the withdrawal of subsidies, making it difficult for passengers to access remote parts of the province.
Aviastar's fleet consists of three BAe 146-200s and five DHC-6-300s, which are still in use for flights to other destinations.
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