BBN Airlines Indonesia, part of global aviation company Avia Solutions Group (ASG), has announced that it has received a foreign operator permit (FOP) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The new permit is the second overseas license the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Crew) specialist airline has been awarded in 2024 and will enable the carrier to expand into new markets in Asia and to build on its current portfolio of customer airlines in the region.
The FOP awarded by Singapore is a major milestone for the airline which was first incorporated in August 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The airline has been growing steadily since its inception and now operates a fleet of six Boeing 737 aircraft. This includes three passenger 737-800s which are operated in an all-economy layout offering up to 189 seats, plus two Boeing 737-800 freighters and a single 737-400 freighter, the last of which joined the fleet in November 2023.
“This permit reflects demonstrated excellence in meeting detailed aspects of stringent international aviation safety regulations, further adding to the credibility of the airline as we expand,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman at BBN Airlines Indonesia. “This permit is an increase of credibility and capability that empowers us to deliver advantages of ACMI, such as flexibility, and cost efficiency, to more customers in Singapore and the surrounding regions as we continue the airline’s growth in the Asian market with ACMI.”
Although initially launched as a dedicated ACMI cargo airline in 2022, the airline has since branched out into commercial passenger wet-lease operations. In August 2024, the company announced that it had been issued a Foreign Air Transport Air Operators Certificate (FATAOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia, allowing the carrier to operate flights to and from that country, broadening its reach outside of Indonesia.
With solid growth seen since it began operations, the airline is targeting a total operational fleet of 40 aircraft by 2027.
The carrier’s expansion is part of the broader growth strategy of ASG which owns several other airlines, including SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, Ascend Airways, KlasJet, AirExplore, Skytrans, and Magma Aviation. In total, ASG holds nine Air Operator’s Certificates (AOCs) in Europe, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia. The Group operates a current fleet of 214 aircraft.
Beyond airline operations, ASG also offers a wide range of aviation services, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), pilot and crew recruitment and training, ground handling, and other associated services, including AeroTime and AviationCV.com.
