Brunei’s GallopAir Sets Eyes on 2024 Launch with COMAC ARJ21 Aircraft

GallopAir, a promising start-up airline in Brunei Darussalam, is on the path to initiate operations by the end of 2024, leveraging the COMAC ARJ21-700 aircraft. CEO Cham Chi has disclosed the airline’s aspirations for obtaining the necessary certifications for the ARJ21-700 within Brunei, aiming for a launch within the year. The airline is actively collaborating with COMAC and Brunei’s aviation authorities to secure both the aircraft’s type certificate and the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), marking a pivotal step in GallopAir’s operational readiness.

In an unprecedented move, COMAC is considering setting up a regional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bandar Seri Begawan. This facility is intended to support GallopAir and potentially cater to other operators in the region, underscoring a significant investment in the aviation sector of Brunei and Southeast Asia.

The ARJ21-700’s regional presence is currently limited, with Indonesia’s TransNusa being the sole operator outside China, signaling GallopAir’s entry as a significant expansion of the ARJ21’s operational footprint. GallopAir’s ambitious order from COMAC last year included thirty aircraft, comprising ARJ21-700s, the cargo variant ARJ21-700Fs, and C919s, although the introduction of the C919 into service is anticipated to take more time, with the type certification process in Brunei expected to commence only a couple of years from now.

GallopAir has previously indicated plans to utilize chartered aircraft from Royal Brunei Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier, as it continues to seek investors for its launch. The partnership with Royal Brunei Airlines is seen as a strategic alliance, allowing GallopAir to serve as a regional feeder and complement the existing aviation infrastructure in Brunei.

This ambitious move by GallopAir to introduce the ARJ21-700 into Brunei by the end of 2024 highlights the airline’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and marks a significant milestone in Brunei’s aviation industry, potentially reshaping the regional aviation landscape with the introduction of new aircraft types and fostering closer ties between Brunei and China’s aerospace sectors.