As part of Garuda Indonesia’s ongoing business plans, one of the focus initiatives embodied in the Quantum Leap 2011-2015 program is the development of Citilink as a low cost carrier (LCC) serving the domestic and regional sectors, including the LCC’s impending spin-off plans.

Having applied for PT. Citilink Indonesia’s Scheduled Commercial Air Transportation Permit (SIUAU/NB), Garuda Indonesia finally received the SIUAU/NB permit number SIUAU/NB-027 issued by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday, January 27, 2012.

Apart from the SIUAU/NB, Citilink still requires an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in order to operate as an independent business entity. Citilink expects to receive the AOC certificate in the next three months following the SIUAU/NB.

PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. EVP Finance, Elisa Lumbantoruan, said that the Scheduled Commercial Air Transportation Permit or SIUAU/NB from the Ministry of Transportation is a precursory step towards Citilink’s separation from Garuda Indonesia, operation-wise. “After receiving SIUAU/NB and AOC, Citilink’s operations will be formally separated from Garuda Indonesia. From then on, Citilink must begin expanding its business and actively take part in the national aviation scene” added Elisa.

At present, Citilink is a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk that provides low cost service and operates under the Garuda Indonesia flight code (GA). Upon receiving the SIUAU/NB permit and be AOC certified, Citilink will officially operate independently from Garuda Indonesia.

Citilink currently operates nine Boeing 737-300s and Airbus A320, and serves eight destinations in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Batam, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar and Medan.

PT Citilink Indonesia is a subsidiary company and 100 percent owned by PT Garuda Indonesia (Pesero) Tbk. By the end of 2012, PT Citilink Indonesia will operate a fleet of 20 aircraft, comprising 1 Boeing 737-400, 6 Boeing 737-300s and 13 Airbus A320, and will also open new destinations, such as Yogyakarta, Padang and Pekanbaru. In addition, between 2014 and 2018, 25 new Airbus 320 will be joining Citilink’s fleet, following Garuda’s agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 25 new Airbus A320s as well as an optional addition of a further 25 A320s.

In August 2011, Citilink launched a new business plan and introduced a brand refresh consisting of a new and fresher logo appearance. With its new ‘go green’ look, Citilink is more than ready to take on the challenges in the domestic and regional LCC market, in the face of increasing public demand for LCC.

Jakarta, January 30, 2012

PT. GARUDA INDONESIA (Persero) Tbk.
VP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

PUJOBROTO