Two SOE Airlines Will Increase Total 26 Aircraft Fleets In 2025

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - PT Garuda Indonesia and PT Pelita Air, two airlines owned by State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) are targeting to add 26 aircraft fleets by 2025 to expand both domestic and international flight services.

President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Military Commander Tsani Panjaitan, said that his party would add 20 aircraft fleets by 2025.

"I convey to Garuda Indonesia this year (2025) that we are targeting to add up to 20 aircraft," said the Military Commander after attending a meeting with SOE Minister Erick Thohir in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Friday, January 3.

Garuda Indonesia targets the addition of 20 aircraft in 2025, with the procurement being carried out in stages starting in January with the arrival of two Boeing aircraft fleets.

"So this January we have two more Boeing aircraft, and in February we will operate another 1 additional (Boeng) 737. Hopefully, by 2025 we will be able to reach 20 aircraft," he said.

Even so, Wildan admitted that his party faced challenges in obtaining aircraft, both new and used, because of difficulties in finding available aircraft to meet the current needs of the aviation market.

Even so, he admitted that he remains committed to maximizing the use of aircraft obtained during 2025, while still paying attention to the type and capacity of the fleet to be used.

Garuda Indonesia also emphasized the importance of increasing aircraft capacity in order to serve all available routes, as part of efforts to increase operational efficiency.

The increase in Garuda Indonesia's aircraft fleet is also a top priority for management to overcome capacity shortages, in order to improve the quality of airline services and competitiveness in the global aviation market.

"Our route is already a lot. What's lacking is the plane. So, this is why my top priority right now and our team is increasing the capacity of the aircraft. Hopefully, we can cover all existing routes," said the Military Commander.

Di tempat yang sama, Direktur Utama Pelita Air Dendy Kurniawan mengatakan bahwa di tahun ini pihaknya menambah enam fleet pesawat sehingga dapat menambah 12 fleet yang sudah ada.

"This year is certain, so it is not a plan that we will definitely just have to wait for the addition of six more. So we will operate 18 aircraft in 2025," said Dendy.

He admitted that his party brought Airbus planes so that they could later support Garuda Indonesia airlines during the transportation of pilgrims for Hajj candidates.

"Two wide-body units are large aircraft. For later we can support Garuda as well as during Hajj and Umrah. We are all Airbus," he said.

Meanwhile, SOE Minister Erick Thohir emphasized that Indonesia's aviation industry is still focused on efficiency, given the limited number of aircraft.

According to him, currently, Indonesia needs around 750 aircraft, but the number of existing aircraft is only around 400.

"I think today's aviation industry continues to be efficient. Because the number of aircraft is not enough. With the size of Indonesia, which requires 750 aircraft, which today is only 400, we are indeed lacking," he said.

Erick said airlines such as Garuda and Pelita Air are trying to increase the number of aircraft to meet the growing needs of air transportation.

"So the report that was submitted by the President Director of Garuda, the President Director of Pelita, is trying to add more aircraft. So, the innovation adds to the aircraft," said Erick.