“Garuda Indonesia will expand its network to around 100 routes by 2029, covering both domestic and international destinations,” Garuda Indonesia President Director Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan stated in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He remarked that by 2029, Citilink, Garuda’s low-cost subsidiary, is also expected to operate around 90 flight routes.
The international network expansion will be carried out through strategic codeshare agreements, especially in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.
Domestically, Garuda Indonesia will enhance services to priority tourism destinations by increasing flight frequency and offering more direct flights.
Meanwhile, Member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Asep Wahyuwijaya praised President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to strengthening the national airline, calling it a wise and strategic move to improve connectivity across Indonesia.
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Asep emphasized that as an archipelagic country, Indonesia requires a strong and reliable air transport system alongside dependable maritime and ferry services to reach all parts of the nation.
He commended President Prabowo’s swift diplomatic efforts, including lobbying in the United States and meeting with President Donald Trump, with one of the agendas being the reinforcement of Garuda Indonesia.
Asep also highlighted the benefits of the agreement to purchase 50 Boeing aircraft along with spare parts, which is seen as advantageous for Garuda, despite Indonesia facing an increase in export tariffs to the US of up to 19 percent.
The deal is further supported by the zero-percent import tariffs for US goods entering Indonesia.
However, Asep stressed that strengthening Garuda must be accompanied by serious and comprehensive internal reforms.
He noted that Garuda’s management must improve its performance to fully capitalize on the substantial support directly provided by the president.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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