Garuda Indonesia Announces Plans to Expand Fleet with Eight New Aircraft in 2024

Garuda Indonesia, the national airline based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, is set to expand its fleet with the addition of eight new aircraft throughout the 2024 calendar year. This move, reported by several Indonesian news outlets, comes directly from statements made by the airline’s CEO, Irfan Setiaputra. The planned expansion includes a diverse set of aircraft, specifically four Boeing 737-800s, two 777-300ERs, and two Airbus A330-300s, marking a significant step in the airline’s growth strategy.

Despite these reports, there seems to be some confusion regarding the addition of the widebody aircraft. In an interview with ch-aviation in Jakarta, Setiaputra conveyed a more cautious stance. He indicated that while the airline might consider adding more widebodies to its fleet later in the year, nothing was confirmed as of yet. This statement contrasts with the more definitive reports about the fleet expansion, highlighting a possible discrepancy in the airline’s public communications.

Furthermore, Setiaputra mentioned Garuda Indonesia’s plans to procure additional wet-leased widebodies for the upcoming Hajj season, a strategy to accommodate the increased demand during the busy religious pilgrimage period. These negotiations are reportedly well-advanced, though not all leases have been finalized. Wet-leasing aircraft for the Hajj season is a common practice for Garuda, allowing the airline to efficiently manage seasonal traffic spikes without the long-term commitment of purchasing new aircraft.

In 2023, Garuda Indonesia enhanced its fleet by leasing four 737-800 aircraft, marking the first additions to this sub-fleet type since 2015. However, Setiaputra’s comments to ch-aviation did not confirm any plans to further increase the 737-800 fleet in 2024. Instead, he highlighted the airline’s focus on making a fleet renewal decision by year’s end. This decision is anticipated to be a competitive bid between the 737-8 and A320N models, as Garuda Indonesia weighs its options for a major order of 40 to 50 aircraft.

This strategic fleet expansion and renewal are crucial for Garuda Indonesia as it navigates the challenges of the aviation industry, aiming to enhance its service offerings and competitiveness. The airline’s plans reflect its ongoing efforts to adapt to market demands and operational needs, even as it clarifies its strategy and future aircraft commitments.