Air Transport

Garuda Indonesia plans to have a competition next year to decide on the future fleet of its low-cost carrier Citilink.

Next year Garuda plans to have a pitch and decide on Citilink's future fleet, says Garuda president Emirsyah Satar.

It will consider the Airbus A320, Boeing 737-800, Embraer 190 and Bombardier CRJ900, he says, adding that Garuda has had discussions with aircraft-makers but has yet to issue a request for proposals.

He says once a winner is selected the airline plans to add 25-30 aircraft over a four-year period.

Garuda relaunched Citilink late last year but Citilink today only has three Boeing 737-300/400s because Garuda has been focused on building its mainline business.

Satar says: "There is shortage of pilots and we have to prioritise which comes first - Garuda or Citilink."

He also confirms Garuda was looking to buy grounded Indonesian carrier Linus Airways so it could use Linus' air operator's certificate for Citilink.

But he says talks have ended and Citilink has since applied to Indonesia's Directorate General of Civil Aviation for an AOC.