Garuda Opts to Continue Boeing Contract, but Drops 737 MAX 8
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29 March 2019 19:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-run air carrier Garuda Indonesia officially confirmed scrapping its orders for 49 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets but opts to pursue its existing contract by switching orders for another type of airplane Boeing could offer.
“We will not change makers to other brands as done by other air carriers. However, we ask Boeing to offer us alternative Boeing products other than the MAX 8 series,” said Garuda Indonesia president Ari Askhara on Friday.
However, Garuda Indonesia and Boeing have yet to see eye to eye on the proposed cancellation of the MAX 8 orders. Garuda said Boeing was still having internal discussions on the matter.
Read: Boeing Unveils 737 MAX Software Fix after Fatal Crashes
“From Garuda’s perspective, we still believe in Boeing as a brand but we have lost all confidence in their MAX 8 products, especially since the public, who are also our customers, have lost faith in the products,” said Ari Askhara.
According to Ari, it is possible that Boeing would reconstruct the existing contract on the purchase of 49 units of 737 MAX 8.
“Boeing understands Garuda’s position and will look into possibilities and cooperate and render complete support to Garuda to meet Garuda’s needs in the future, given that Garuda is a national carrier and its key customer,” he said.
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