State-run Garuda Indonesia said on Friday it had appointed as its new chief executive officer Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, a former acting head of budget Lion Air who pledged to improve the flag-carrier’s performance.
The decision was taken during a meeting of shareholders on Friday. Wamildan, a former Indonesian military pilot, said he would enhance the company’s financial performance and improve the airline’s services quality.
“All of these will strengthen Garuda‘s reputation as a national flag carrier,” he said in a statement by the airline, adding President Prabowo Subianto had instructed him to turn Garuda into a globally renowned airline.
Wamildan is replacing Irfan Setiaputra, who served for more than four years in the post.
Under Irfan’s tenure, Garuda won creditors’ approval in 2022 to restructure more than $9 billion of debt after it faced financial difficulties, including from pandemic-related travel curbs.
Reuters
