Citilink, AirAsia Ink Interline Agreement

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Garuda Indonesia inked an MoU with Capital A, the holding company of AirAsia. One of the agreements included is an interline cooperation between Citilink, the subsidiary of Garuda, and AirAsia.

President Director of Garuda Irfan Setiaputra stated that the cooperation will not result in a new airline, but rather a direct passenger transfer from Citilink to AirAsia and vice versa. "So [passengers] car directly transfer the luggage," Irfan said in a text message to Tempo on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Aviation observer Alvin Lie responded to the agreement, mentioning that the passengers would be able to purchase AirAsia's ticket to fly on the airline, and directly resume the trip with Citilink, and vice versa. 

"This is possibly a strategy to face big competitors in a low-cost carrier market, this alliance will strengthen their competitiveness," Alvin said to Tempo on Friday. 

Garuda Indonesia reported that the MoU was signed by the CEO of AirAsia Group Bo Lingam and the CEO of Citilink Dewa Kadek Rai last Wednesday.

Both airlines are ready to serve flights to 50 Citilink's domestic destinations and 150 AirAsia's international destinations in Southeast Asian countries. The chosen routes between the two airlines are estimated to begin operation in the first quarter of 2024.

"The integrated service will facilitate an easier transfer for aviation users with the check-in process and boarding pass issued once from the embarkation city," the official statement wrote.

AMELIA RAHIMA SARI

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