Garuda Indonesia negotiates with lessors for return of up to 50 jets

Garuda Indonesia has shed more light on its operating circumstances, including on the skeletal fleet it is operating amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as measures taken to cut costs. A 9 June stock exchange filing shows that the carrier has operated up to only a third of its fleet during the pandemic, as demand collapsed amid global travel restrictions. It has also hinted at possibly returning a signficant number of aircraft to lessors. The embattled flag carrier — the subject of an imminent restructuring — was responding to queries listed by the Indonesian stock exchange. While Garuda’s total fleet size stands at 142 aircraft, it only operated up to 53 jets — representing a 63% reduction. Among the varied aircraft types it operates, its fleet of Boeing 737-800s saw the steepest decline — from a pre-pandemic fleet of 73 examples to just 27 jets, a cut of 63%. Other aircraft with significant cuts include its regional fleet of CRJ1000s, from 18 to just three in service, as well as ATR 72-600s, which went from 13 jets to five in service currently. Garuda also disclosed that 39 aircraft are in maintenance, though it did not elaborate further. <br/>