Indeed, there is a plan for the next step after the restructurization, Garuda is looking for strategic partners.Jakarta (ANTARA) - National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will focus on serving domestic flyers, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir said here on Thursday.
"Garuda Indonesia is focused on domestic flights," he informed.
Meanwhile, to serve international passengers, the airline will cooperate with other international carriers such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, he added.
"Indeed, there is a plan for the next step after the restructurization, Garuda is looking for strategic partners. One of them is that we are open with the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA)," the minister said, adding that INA could invite strategic partners for Garuda Indonesia.
The minister earlier said that, as an archipelagic country, Indonesia cannot rely on trains for inter-island transportation. It has two choices of transportation —ships and airplanes.
Hence, Garuda Indonesia and Citilink, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, will focus on the domestic market, not the international market, Thohir added.
The economic activities of domestic tourists generate enormous value, he noted.
Citing Garuda Indonesia data, Thohir said that 78 percent of the airline’s passengers are domestic ones, who generate Rp1,400 trillion (around US$95.27 billion) in revenue for the airline. The remaining are international passengers who bring a revenue of Rp300 trillion (around US$20.41 billion).
Services to local tourists must also become the main priority as there are many local tourism potentials in cities, districts, and villages that still need to be developed, he said.
Related news: Several foreign airlines open direct flight to Indonesia: Minister
Related news: Garuda Indonesia draws praise from minister for best performance
Translator: Aji Cakti, Sri Haryati
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
