TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The business relations between airlines Sriwijaya Air and Citilink Indonesia hit another rift. The dispute between the two carriers has led to a halt in the continuation of operations between Sriwijaya and Garuda Indonesia, Citilink's parent company.

"With regards to the current status of management cooperation between Sriwijaya and Citilink, a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia. Because there are a number of problems between the two parties that cannot be resolved. With a heavy heart, we inform that Sriwijaya will continue its businesses without us," Garuda Indonesia's technical and service director Iwan Joeniarto said in a statement Thursday, November 7.

Iwan said Sriwijaya Air is no longer a member of Garuda Indonesia Group, and the relationship between the two airlines would be a business-to-business (B2B) one.

Garuda Indonesia Group and Sriwijaya Air Group had decided on a partnership to overcome their respective financial troubles.

In September, the business relationship experienced a shock that caused changes to Sriwijaya's board of directors. But the two companies rekindled their relationship based on aspects of safety, customer interests, and saving state assets.

Earlier, there were reports that Sriwijaya Air's director of quality, safety, and security Toto Subandoro had recommended ceasing the airline's operations temporarily. The recommendation was addressed to acting president director Jefferson I Jauwena.

In a letter dated September 29, Toto said the recommendation was decided following a review by the Air Transportation Directorate General over Sriwijaya's flight safety aspects. The DG found mismatches in a report that the company submitted on September 24.

Among the mismatches were for the provision of tools, equipment, minimum spare, and the number of qualified engineers in Sriwijaya Air. There was also proof that the airliner had not been able to establish a partnership with JAS Engineering or other MROs regarding line maintenance support.

ANTARA | CAESAR AKBAR