Aviation info.

[harryopal1]

PT Garuda Indonesia is in talks to buy Boeing planes as the flag carrier seeks to expand its international network, its CEO said.

The airline is discussing buying between 50 and 75 jets from the US manufacturer, including 737 Max 8 and 787-9 models, Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

Panjaitan, speaking after a meeting with Indonesia’s Coordinating Economic Minister, declined to give a time frame or state whether any transaction would form part of expected Indonesia-US trade and investment deals.

Garuda’s board appointed Panjaitan as CEO in November, he was at Lion before. He was tasked with fixing the company’s balance sheet and expanding its international network. The airline, which recorded a net loss last year, recently secured a $405 million loan from sovereign wealth fund Danantara to help expand its fleet.

The company aims to operate 120 aircraft over the next five years, compared to the 98 now (with low-cost carrier Citilink).

When you look at the way some executives misused Garuda to carry large goods for them to avoid paying cusoms duties it is clear that there is a mindset that sees the airline as their personal gravy train and will do anything, no matter the cost to the country, to keep things afloat. As for taking on another 50 to 75 new jets it has not been unknown for aircraft manufacturers to pay handsome facilitation fees to those involved in the purchase loop.