BBN Airlines Indonesia’s ACMI model: Redefining cost-efficient operations

Martynas Grigas, chief executive of Avia Management Group Asia (AMGA), a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, shares how BBN Airlines Indonesia’s ACMI model is reshaping aircraft maintenance management.

A staple of fleet management in Europe, ACMI leasing – a solution that encompasses Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance – has emerged as a game-changer for Southeast Asian airlines. Providing a complete operational package, ACMI eliminates the complex burden of managing the maintenance of leased aircraft. Transferring maintenance responsibility to specialised providers represents an underappreciated pillar of ACMI value.

Understanding the ACMI business model

BBN Airlines Indonesia, part of AMGA, is a leading provider of ACMI aviation solutions in the region. It currently operates a fleet of six aircraft to cater to a range of aviation requirements.

BBN Airlines Indonesia’s passenger services include three B738s and one B739 dedicated to ACMI operations, complemented by two B737 aircraft specifically designed for cargo transport.

The airline has previously offered scheduled passenger flights with routes including Jakarta (CGK) and Surabaya (SUB), but from 2025 onwards, its focus is on being a tailored ACMI services provider rather than a traditional commercial airline.

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Southeast Asia’s aviation sector is recovering well after the pandemic, with passenger numbers continuing to pick up. According to IATA, the Asia-Pacific region, led by Southeast Asia, posted the strongest passenger traffic growth globally in 2024, with a 16.9% year-on-year increase in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK). The availability of aircraft, however, has not matched the recovery rate. This is why ACMI solutions can be particularly valuable for carriers facing capacity challenges.

For Southeast Asian airlines, ACMI offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and risk mitigation. This model allows them to scale operations during peak periods or cover grounded aircraft without significant upfront investment or long-term commitments. In contrast to traditional leasing and full-service carriers, ACMI provides a turnkey solution where the lessor handles not just the aircraft, but also the crew, maintenance, and insurance.

While eliminating capital investment in aircraft and long-term staffing commitments are important benefits, the avoidance of direct maintenance responsibility is an often-overlooked advantage of employing ACMI services.

The impact of ACMI on aircraft maintenance burden

ACMI shifts the maintenance responsibility from client airlines to the ACMI provider. The provider handles all aspects of aircraft maintenance, including routine checks, unscheduled repairs, and ensuring airworthiness, freeing the client airline from these operational burdens. Cost predictability is another important aspect – client airlines pay a fixed rate, which insulates them from unexpected maintenance costs.

At BBN Airlines Indonesia, we prioritise operational efficiency. The maintenance of our fleet is centralised, overseen by BBN Airlines Indonesia’s dedicated technical teams. Moreover, being part of the world’s largest ACMI provider, Avia Solutions Groupwe make use of the group’s global MRO network and economies of scale. All of this translates into enhanced cost efficiency, superior maintenance standards, and a reduced aircraft on ground (AOG) risk for our client airlines.

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Driving efficiency through MRO partnerships

BBN Airlines Indonesia Leverages The Group’s Mro Subsidiaries Like Fl Technics Indonesia, which operates two facilities are located at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali (DPS).

In May 2025, the company received certification to perform maintenance services on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, expanding its MRO services portfolio that includes servicing Boeing Classic, Next Generation (NG), and MAX series, as well as Airbus A320ceo and A320neo families.

Leveraging these capabilities delivers significant benefits through vertical integration. We achieve faster turnaround times, but also profit from better parts availability and centralised procurement strategies that can be tailored to BBN Airlines Indonesia’s needs. There is also centralised data and predictive maintenance planning, which enables proactive maintenance scheduling that minimises disruptions and optimises aircraft availability.

A model for emerging markets in Asia

In addition to all the benefits mentioned, there are other reasons why ACMI is particularly relevant for emerging carriers or markets with infrastructure limitations, such as Southeast Asia. It offers potential for airlines to test new routes or expand temporarily without long-term commitments. Outsourcing operational burdens can uplift local carriers’ competitiveness, allowing them to focus their limited resources on core business activities like route development and customer service.

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Looking ahead, the trends emerging in the aviation industry should only heighten the importance of the ACMI model. Air carriers face challenges such as rising maintenance costs as well as EASA/FAA compliance and standardisation pressures. We also can’t forget sustainability demands, particularly pressure to decarbonise – a process where efficient fleet management plays a big part.

ACMI providers can absorb all these complexities, allowing client airlines to access modern, fuel-efficient fleets and expert regulatory compliance without the capital burden or operational risks of direct ownership.

The strategic future of ACMI

BBN Airlines Indonesia’s ACMI model is more than a wet lease, it’s a strategic solution to maintenance cost challenges. I firmly believe that the model will become increasingly relevant in Asia-Pacific’s evolving aviation landscape. The region’s growing aviation demand, combined with infrastructure constraints and the need for operational flexibility, creates an ideal environment for ACMI solutions to flourish.

At BBN Airlines Indonesiawe remain committed to operational excellence, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Our growing footprint as a regional ACMI carrier underscores our ability to deliver tailored capacity solutions that support our partners’ operational success.