The Deputy Minister Of BUMN Confirms Peter Gontha's Statement: Garuda Aircraft Rentals Are More Expensive Four Times The World Average

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Garuda Indonesia aircraft rental which is much more expensive than the market price or the market is in the spotlight of various parties. One of them, by former Garuda Indonesia Commissioner Peter Gontha. Regarding the price of the plane, Deputy Minister of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo admitted that the rental price for Garuda aircraft was four times more expensive than the global average.

However, said Tiko, the reason for the more expensive plane rental prices was due to poor corporate governance. It is known that the KPK decided that there were corruption cases in Garuda Indonesia in the past.

"This also causes contracts with lessor Garuda to be quite high compared to other airlines. There is even data from Bloomberg if we compare Garuda's aircraft rental cost with Garuda's revenue, which is among the largest," he said in a meeting with Commission VI DPR, Tuesday. , November 9th.

"So the aircraft rental cost divided by Garuda's revenue reaches 24.7 percent, four times the global average. This is Garuda's condition," he continued.

Therefore, said Tiko, the reason for Garuda's declining performance is due to past corruption. Then, it was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is a difficult situation. Because on the one hand, Garuda has a high cost structure, high debt, and a significant eroded revenue base due to the pandemic. So I am often asked what Garuda's performance has decreased because of corruption or the pandemic? Yes, two "Both, not one," he said.

Previously, the high price of Garuda planes became a public spotlight after 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 Piter, 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 it was reduced so that currently operated to support the company's operations were in the range of 50-60 aircraft.