Regarding Pelita Air's Replacement, President Director Of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra: Who said that? Of Course No!

Garuda Indonesia airline. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Pelita Air Service, an airline owned by PT Pertamina (Persero) is widely rumored to be taking over Garuda Indonesia's domestic flights. This is because Garuda Indonesia is experiencing difficult and complicated conditions, especially in financial conditions.

As is known, Garuda is experiencing a slumping financial condition, up to minus 2.6 billion US dollars. Garuda also had to ask for relief from the lessors. In fact, Garuda's chances in the lawsuit for the Suspension of Debt Payment Obligations (PKPU) are still uncertain to win.

President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra responded to the news. He questioned the source of the news information. Because, Irfan admitted that there was no discussion between the shareholders, namely the Ministry of SOEs and the management of Garuda Indonesia regarding the issue.

"Who said yes (want to be replaced)? No," he said when confirmed by VOI, Monday, October 18.

In addition, it was reported that the Ministry of SOEs opened a bankruptcy option for Garuda Indonesia (GIAA). This step was taken by the shareholders because the state-owned airline suffered losses. Related to this, Irfan said that all options are open for discussion.

"All options are discussed," he said.

For your information, Garuda is currently waiting for the decision on the Postponement of Debt Payment Obligation (PKPU) case at the Jakarta Commercial Court. However, the PKPU verdict trial, which was supposed to last Thursday, was postponed until next week because the panel of judges was not present. Therefore, the government has also prepared an option if Indonesia's national flag carrier is in danger of not being able to fly anymore.

Previously, Deputy Minister of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo admitted that Garuda's current condition was very difficult and complicated. Moreover, with the slumping financial condition, up to minus 2.6 billion US dollars. Garuda also had to ask for relief from the lessors.

"There are a lot of lessors, 32. Can it work? I said 50:50," he said.

According to Tiko, as he is familiarly called, during the discussion, the lessors continued to be convinced that Garuda still had prospects for survival, because it had a large domestic market. He said that so far quite a lot of interest.

However, not only discussing restructuring with lessors, Garuda has a 50:50 chance of winning or failing in a PKPU lawsuit. To anticipate the worst possibility, the government is also preparing options so that the aviation industry can keep moving.

If Garuda loses in PKPU or fails to restructure, the government will prepare Pelita Air to fill the void left by Garuda. Even the Ministry of SOEs is applying for a permit for Pelita Air to be able to pocket the medium class schedule flight. This is because all of its shares are owned by Pertamina.

"We are still applying for a Pelita permit. As an alternative, later Pelita will fill the void left by Garuda," he said.

However, if Garuda's debt restructuring turns out to be successful, then Pelita Air will still be operated as a full-service domestic airline.