'Sentilan' Returns To Garuda Indonesia's Management To Peter Gontha Who Mentioned Where The Money For The Difference In Expensive Airplane Rentals Went

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, spoke about the leasing cost, which was recorded to be more expensive than the normal price, reaching 26 percent or the highest in the world. This has been highlighted by many parties, one of which is former Garuda Indonesia Commissioner Peter F. Gontha.

According to Peter Gontha, the expensive plane rental is considered to be the cause of Garuda's mounting debt. Garuda Indonesia VP Corporate Secretary & Investor Relations Mitra Piranti said that the rental price for Garuda Indonesia aircraft depends on the market price when the aircraft is acquired by the company.

Mitra said, the aircraft rental price takes into account the rental period, year of manufacture, and aircraft configuration. That way, there is a significant difference between the rental prices of previous years and the current rental prices.

"The aircraft rental price compared to the current rental price in the market will definitely be higher for the same comparison factor," Garuda management wrote in an information disclosure on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) website, quoted Friday, November 5.

In addition, Mitra explained, the rental price in the market will decrease as the aircraft ages, market conditions, and the technical conditions of the aircraft.

Management also noted, the market price assumes the aircraft is obtained with factory standard specifications. Where, said Mitra, variations in the acquisition method of several previous aircraft also affected the overall rental price.

In addition, Garuda Indonesia aircraft have specifications that are adjusted to the company's plans when the aircraft is acquired. The reason is that it can encourage the improvement of service standards in relation to the fulfillment of full-service standards on a global scope.

However, regarding which types of aircraft have higher rental costs than the normal price, Garuda Indonesia management is reluctant to comment.

"Currently we are renegotiating the aircraft lease with the lessor as part of the company's restructuring efforts, including exploring the possibility of a more economical aircraft lease scheme option by taking into account market reference conditions," he said.

Loud voice of Peter Gontha

To note, the state-owned airline leased eight types of aircraft. These include Boeing 777-300, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8 Max, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-900, CRJ1000 NextGen, and ATR 72-600.

However, the highlight is the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased by Garuda Indonesia. This is because the former Commissioner of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Peter F. Gontha spoke on his social media. He questioned where the difference in the money from the rental price of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased by Garuda Indonesia went.

According to Peter, the usual rental price for a Boeing 777-300ER is US$ 750 thousand per month. However, since the first plane lease letter was signed, the cost incurred by Garuda was US$1.4 million per month.

"This is a Boeing 777, the average rental price in the market is 750 thousand US dollars per month. Garuda starts from the first day paying double? 1.4 million US dollars per month. Where did the money go when it was signed? Just want to know?," wrote Peter on his personal Instagram account @petergontha, quoted Thursday, October 28.

As is known, Garuda has a total of 142 aircraft, as many as 136 aircraft with lease status and 6 aircraft owned by the company. Consists of Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8 Max, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-900, CRJ1000 NextGen, and ATR 72-600 aircraft types.

Especially for the Boeing 777-300ER Garuda Indonesia has 10 aircraft units. The aircraft, which can accommodate a total of up to 314 passengers, is used for long-distance routes. This Boeing 777-300ER is claimed by Garuda to be able to go up to 930 kilometers per hour.

It is noted that Garuda Indonesia leased two of its 777-300ER from ALAFCO, two from Altavair, and the remaining six from ICBC Leasing. However, during the pandemic, the number of aircraft operated to support the company's operations was reduced. It is in the range of 53 aircraft.