"The routes that were previously served by Batavia could now be served by Merpati and Garuda because both airlines have the capacity to do so," State-Owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned airline companies Garuda Indonesia and Merptai Nusantara Airlines are ready to take over the routes of Batavia Air, which has been declared bankrupt, a minister said.
"The routes that were previously served by Batavia could now be served by Merpati and Garuda because both airlines have the capacity to do so," State-Owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan said here on Thursday.
The minister noted that the two airlines had the capacity to expand their flight schedules to serve the routes left by Batavia Air. "Garuda and Merpati can surely serve these routes," he said.
However, Dahlan pointed out that taking over the routes might not be `as easy as it seems because Garuda and Merpati must first consider the size of their fleet`.
"Procuring airplanes requires funds and a long time," the minister said.
"Besides, Merpati is facing various problems relating to operational financing, among other things," he added.
Earlier, Batavia Airlines was declared bankrupt by the Central Jakarta District Court.
"Batavia Airlines is bankrupt," said Presiding Judge Agus Iskandar as he read out the verdict on Wednesday.
"Batavia Airlines had met the requirements of Law No. 37/2004 on bankruptcy. Hence, Batavia Airlines has been declared bankrupt," said the Presiding Judge.
The IFLR had filed a bankruptcy petition with the court because the airlines had not been able to pay its debts, amounting to US$4.68 million, which matured on December 31, 2012.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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