Jokowi Will Rent Garuda Indonesia Aircraft for Long-haul Flights
Translator
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny
Editor
Mahinda Arkyasa
Jumat, 28 Februari 2020 20:37 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that the presidential palace planned to rent Garuda Indonesia's aircraft to accommodate President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's state visit to the United States in March. This statement denied the rumors the palace would purchase a new plane for state services
"The president will attend the Asean-US Special Summit in America and at the same time make a state visit there in March," said Pramono at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta on Friday, February 28, 2020.
Previously, photos of allegedly new presidential jet went viral on social media. One of the photos was posted by an Instagram account @avia.pedia. The plane with the symbol of the Republic of Indonesia was seen to be in a hangar. The palace ensured that no new aircraft purchased.
Pramono explained that the president so far boarded Boeing 737 aircraft for state service. Later, the government planned to rent a wide-body jet Boeing 777-30 ER owned by Garuda Indonesia for a long-haul trip for the sake of time and money efficiency.
"The current presidential jet needs to transit three times during a long trip to refuel. It costs more and is more tiring. So Bapak President Jokowi asks to re-calculate travel costs to make it easier and cheaper," Pramono said.
