Garuda Indonesia’s low-cost carrier Citilink subsidiary has commenced freighter operations on 10 November using a Boeing 737-500. The converted aircraft is able to carry up to 12 tonnes of cargo and will be used on routes in the eastern Papua province. A further four aircraft will also be used as freighters.
“On 10 November, an aircraft owned by Citilink will depart for Papua [province] from Jakarta. Out of the five aircraft that will be used as freighters, three are owned by Garuda Indonesia and two others by Citilink,” says Garuda’s chief executive Ari Askhara.
Indonesia’s state-owned enterprises to revive the defunct Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Merpati will act as a general sales agent for the freighter service.
Citilink has three 737-500s and two -300s in storage, inclusive of PK-GGC.
Last month, Garuda committed to lease two 737-800 converted freighters from GECAS starting mid-2020.
