TEMPO.CO, Tangerang, Banten - PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk. is seeking to boost its cargo market that has so far not yet been optimized due to its focus on the passenger market.
The company`s President Director, M Arif Wibowo, said on Friday that he would target a 20 percent contribution from cargo to the companys total income.
"We hope we can rely on cargo for up to 20 percent. Right now it is still be below 10 percent," he said.
It means that income from cargo is expected to reach US$1 billion from the current US$250 to 300 million, Arif added.
"Later, we will be able to not only to serve port-to-port, but also door-to-door," he said.
To realize this, cooperation in the form of joint operations or joint ventures would have to be built with PT Pos Indonesia, Arif noted.
He said the airline could also consider cooperating with international companies.
Arif said the airline`s biggest international cargo markets are Shanghai, Japan and Europe, which could reach 13 to 15 tons per day.
"Shanghai is already being boosted, as well as Europe through Singapore and they can support us in 2016," he said.
Regarding the aircraft being used for the service, Arif said he would not procure special cargo aircraft yet, but would initially make use of the belly cargo service.
He also said last year that the airline had focused too much on relocation or repositioning of aircraft deployment by reducing certain routes, such as Shanghai and Tokyo.
This year, the shareholders had decided to add a cargo director position to the board, which will be filled by Sigit Muhartono.
"He has an experience in the cargo business. We have also invited other persons, who have professional experience in the field," he stated.
ANTARA
