Two Indonesian companies have acquired business jets, giving manufacturers renewed hope in the long-depressed South-East Asian market.

Sources say Bombardier has sold a Global Express to the president of tobacco company Sampoerna and the UK Royal Air Force has sold a VIP-configured BAe 146, formerly operated by the 32 (The Royal) Sqn, to the president of media conglomerate Metro Indonesia.

Several business jets were previously based in Indonesia but they were all relocated during the economic crisis of 1997. Sales executives say several companies have expressed interest in business jets and a handful of transactions may be completed over the next few months in Indonesia alone.

A loosening of regulations at Indonesia's Directorate General of Air Communications has made it easier for local companies to secure operating certificates, making sales more likely. Historically companies had to rely on charter operators to run their business jet operations.

Sampoerna recently secured an air operator's certificate and may take over operation of the Global Express, now managed by Jet Aviation's Singapore subsidiary. Sampoerna has begun operating helicopters between tobacco farms but does not yet have any fixed-wing aircraft under its certificate.

Source: Flight International