Contributor - Asia

Jennifer Meszaros

Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday named a new CEO and enacted several other leadership changes as it addresses a series of scandals that rocked its previous management.

 


During an extraordinary shareholder meeting, the airline appointed Irfan Setiaputra chief executive officer, replacing I Gusti Ngurah Askhara “Ari” Danadiputra, who lost his job in December along with four directors for allegedly smuggling a disassembled Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a newly delivered Airbus A330neo. A relative newcomer to aviation, Setiaputra graduated from Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology and previously served as CEO and president director at various telecommunications companies, including Sigfox Indonesia in 2019 and PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia (INTI) from 2009 to 2012. Setiaputra steps in as Garuda’s fourth CEO since Emirsyah Sata resigned in 2014.

 


Shareholders of Indonesia’s flag carrier also increased the number of managing directors from four to six during Wednesday’s meeting. Dony Oskaria, who previously served as a member of Garuda's board of commissioners and the National Industrial Economics Committee became the company’s new vice president director. Oskaria was one of two commissioners who refused to sign off last year on Garuda’s 2018 financial statement and annual report due to a series of accounting irregularities. Triawan Munaf, a former head of Indonesia’s Creative Economy Agency, takes over as the airline’s new president commissioner, while interim CEO Fuad Rizal continues in his role as the company’s finance director.&nbsp;

 


Garuda’s corporate shuffle comes amid a number of past and current scandals, including allegations of price-fixing, unfair business competition practices, and sexual harassment of cabin crew. The company has also experienced a spate of recent problems with local carrier Sriwijaya Air, which moved to sever its relationship last November after accusing Garuda of imposing unfair stipulations over payments for airport services and maintenance.

 


Garuda, through its subsidiary Citilink, gained operational and financial control of Sriwijaya in 2018 in an attempt to return the airline to profitability. According to Indonesian media outlets, Sriwijaya and its subsidiary, Nam Air, has entered talks with several foreign and local investors; plans call for Sriwijaya’s fleet to increase to 23 aircraft and Nam’s fleet to 14 by March.

 


Meanwhile, Garuda faces allegations of sexual harassment of cabin crew following the firing of its former chief executive, better known as Ari Askhara. In mid-December, a series of Twitter posts from an anonymous user went viral, accusing several officials, including Askhara, of widespread discrimination and treating cabin crew as “prostitutes.” An investigation into these allegations continues.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Scandal-Ridden Garuda Appoints New Leadership Team

Garuda Indonesia looks to burnish its image amid a corporate reshuffle.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN