February 27, 2026 | 11:15 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia seeks to establish a holding company for state-owned airlines by this year's first half. It will consist of Garuda Indonesia, its subsidiary Citilink, and Pelita Air Service, owned by the state energy giant Pertamina.
Managing Director of Stakeholders Management at Danantara Indonesia, Rohan Hafas, said the consolidation aims to improve efficiency and optimize the booking systems across the three airlines.
“Merging Pelita, Citilink, and Garuda would allow for one booking system, one Garuda point program, shared mileage, unified registration, and even interchangeable seating. That would certainly make operations more efficient,” said Rohan, as quoted by Antara on Friday, February 27, 2026.
The merger is also expected to address fleet limitations experienced by each carrier, especially in overlapping flight routes.
"The number of aircraft combined will be greater. Take popular destinations like Surabaya for example. Citilink, Pelita, and Garuda all fly to Surabaya. Why not serve it under a single entity?" Rohan said.
Through booking integration and operational cooperation, Danantara hopes to generate additional revenue, especially for Garuda Indonesia, which continues to work on strengthening its financial performance.
“Hopefully it can be finalized in the first half of 2026, because this is crucial to generating extra income without adding aircraft,” Rohan said.
“Whether it will take the form of a merger or another structure is something we must decide soon. It requires careful calculation, as accounting and merger issues are not simple,” he said.
Previously, Chief Operating Officer of Danantara, Dony Oskaria, targeted the consolidation process of the state-owned airlines to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. In this scheme, Garuda Indonesia is designated as the parent company. "Garuda Indonesia will be the parent holding company, with Citilink and Pelita Air under it," said Dony.
Read: Pertamina CEO Discusses Merger Incentives with Purbaya
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Passengers Could Be Fined for Playing Music Too Loud on Flights
1 hari lalu
The Indian government has expressed concern about playing loud music without headphones on flights.
Best Airlines for Traveling During Ramadan 2026
4 hari lalu
Passenger advocacy organization AirAdvisor has released a list of the 10 best airlines for Ramadan travelers in 2026.
Airlines Start Halting Flights to Cuba Amid US Fuel Blockade
15 hari lalu
Three Canadian airlines have suspended flights to Cuba due to a lack of guaranteed fuel supply. Germany also issued a travel warning.
Cuba Faces Dire Jet Fuel Shortage Amid Trump's Blockade
16 hari lalu
International flights will no longer be able to refuel in Cuba due to a shortage of jet fuel.
Singapore Enforces No Boarding Directive: What Travelers Need to Know
22 hari lalu
Learn about Singapore's No Boarding Directive (NBD) and the procedures travelers must complete before entering the country.
Lufthansa Limits Number of Power Banks Passengers Can Carry
36 hari lalu
Starting Jan. 15, 2026, the German airline group Lufthansa announced new rules regarding the use of power banks or portable chargers on board aircraft
Why Airlines Limit Passenger Baggage Weight
39 hari lalu
Airline passenger baggage weight limits are becoming increasingly stringent, especially for international airlines.
Latin America: US Issues 'Military Activity' Flight Advisory
40 hari lalu
The warnings come as Trump has suggested possible military strikes against drug cartel targets in Mexico.
Iran Closes Airspace Amid Rising Protests and Regional Tensions
43 hari lalu
Iran temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except international flights to and from Iran with official permission on Wednesday at 10:15 p.m.
Simple Trick to Get Extra Legroom on Flights Without Paying More
51 hari lalu
Comfort is a major concern for airplane passengers, lucky passengers get ample legroom, while others may have to endure cramped conditions. There is a simple trick to get extra legroom during flights without having to pay extra fees.
