Not Joining InJourney, Erick Thohir: Garuda Indonesia Must Strengthen Yourself

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir revealed the reason why PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) has not joined the Tourism BUMN Holding under PT Aviasi Wisata Indonesia (Persero) or InJourney. The reason is because Garuda has to strengthen itself. Erick explained that he is still focused on improving the conditions after undergoing restructuring. He said, currently Garuda is healthy. But healthy alone is not enough, Garuda must be large. "Garuda is still the second step. This means that after yesterday's restructuring, now it's restructuring. Alhamdulillah it's healthy. But the next step is to raise it," he told reporters, Friday, October 28. The next step, continued Erick, was to increase the capacity of fleets and flight frequencies which had shrunk due to the pandemic. Erick said that the increase in the number of Garuda fleets would run gradually to meet the increasing needs of the community. Furthermore, Erick conveyed that Garuda's entry into InJourney was a form of business development. "Now we can wait for the number of aircraft. If we can wait 100 first, the number of aircraft will continue 110, 120, if the shape is strong, then we will develop. Now development is one of them synergizing with InJourney," he said.

Erick said, Garuda will be in an integrated tourism ecosystem with PT Angkasa Pura I and II, PT Hotel Indonesia Natour, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur Prambanan and Ratu Boko, and PT Sarinah. Erick said this ecosystem would later take advantage of Bank Mandiri's super apps. The application combines services for all BUMNs in the holding, starting from airports, airlines, to tourist destinations. "So people come to Indonesia, oh the hotel is here, I want to buy souvenirs here, watch dances here, take Garuda's plane. We make that ecosystem, so that way, tourists who come are not blind. Unfortunately, we arrived at the hotel and were confused about where to go," said Erick.