Xpress Air was an Indonesian domestic regular airline that offered direct flights to the eastern parts of Indonesia, with its first flight in 2005, and from 2014 international routes to Malaysia.[1] Beginning with two Boeing 737s, Xpress Air was the first privately owned, scheduled airline to connect Jakarta to 24 domestic destinations like Makassar (formerly known as Ujung Pandang), Ternate, Sorong, Manokwari and Jayapura. Makassar was a main hub for all flights coming from Java to the eastern cities of Indonesia, while Sorong was a second hub in Papua, connecting remote places surrounding the West Papua area. The airline ceased all operations in 2021.[citation needed]
History
Express Air began commercial operations between Jayapura and Jakarta on June 23, 2003. The airline had grown to become one of the major airlines in eastern Indonesia. Xpress Air was done several major fleet expansion to serve more destinations along West-East Papua axis, Sulawesi, Maluku and Nusa Tenggara region. The vision to also offer routes to the western regions has been met as Xpress Air has connecting people to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Pontianak and more.[citation needed]
In 2012, Xpress Air adopted a new branding name (from Express Air to Xpress Air to represent a more modern and customer-friendly airline), a new strategy and a fresh new slogan "Terbanglah Indonesia", maintaining the culture and tradition of a friendly airline with new, modern advancements and motivation.[2]
On 6 November 2008, a Dornier 328 that was in service for only six weeks with Express Air had a hard landing at Fakfak Airport. All 36 passengers and crew survived.
On June 14, 2009, an Express Air Dornier 328 swerved off the runway at Tanahmerah Airport and skidded into an earthen mound. This resulted in substantial damage to the right engine and propeller.[8]
On 13 May 2013, an Express Air Boeing 737-200 experienced a technical engine problem. The aircraft later landed at Jayapura safely.