Still Lonely Passengers, Garuda Indonesia Maximizes Cargo Business

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the aviation industry business. Even as of May, the number of passengers has dropped by 90 percent. Airlines finally have to innovate, from initially focusing on transporting human movement, now airlines maximize cargo or goods delivery.

President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Irfaniaputra, admitted that during the pandemic the cargo business has actually increased from time to time than before the pandemic.

"Our logistics delivery is getting better. Because all this time (before the pandemic) the aviation business was focused on people," he said, in a virtual discussion, Friday, July 24.

So far, said Irfan, the airline business has only focused on passenger passengers. Nearly 95 percent of the management at Garuda takes care of people's flights, while only a handful of people take care of it with regard to goods.

"Only five to 10 percent handle cargo. Today when there is a need for cargo from one destination to another, we prioritize it in such a way that the movement of this cargo can be smoother," he said.

Irfan assessed that the cargo business is more fun than people's flights. Because, during the flight of goods, there are minimal complaints and it is not difficult.

"During a pandemic, the business of goods is fun. On the plane there are also quite a few complaints," he said.

In addition, said Irfan, Garuda has obtained permission to carry goods in the aircraft cabin. Items may be placed in the passenger seat with a maximum load of 70 kilograms (kg).

Furthermore, Irfan explained, currently there are more than 10 flights per day from Garuda which only contain cargo. In fact, Garuda will cooperate with entrepreneurs in Eastern Indonesia to deliver goods by renting Garuda aircraft.

Some time ago a Garuda plane was also chartered by a fish exporter from East Indonesia to be shipped to China. Prior to the pandemic period, shipments of goods from Eastern Indonesia always transited in Jakarta because they followed passenger routes.

In addition, said Irfan, there were also those who rented planes from Ambon to deliver goods directly to Guangzhou in China. When he returned to Indonesia, he brought electronic devices to Jakarta. Then the plane returned to Ambon carrying general cargo such as clothes.

"We are also cooperating in Eastern Indonesia to send marine products directly to China," he explained.

On the other hand, Irfan said that his party would also bring in two special cargo aircraft (freighter) this year, but they were delayed due to the pandemic.

"This year, the arrival of two freighter special cargo planes, because of our financial condition, we are delaying it," he said.

Irfan also said that he would balance the contribution of cargo revenue with passengers, which had been dominated by passengers. Because, so far, Garuda has been on people's flights.