Garuda Indonesia, the leading airline in the tropical paradise of southeast Asia, is gearing up to expand its fleet by 15 to 20 aircraft by 2025. The ambitious plans were unveiled by the airline's newly appointed CEO, Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, who took the reins in November 2024. During a recent press conference on December 6, 2024, the dynamic leader shared the exciting news of the airline's growth strategy.

With the first four new aircraft slated to join the fleet soon - two before the year's end and two in January 2025, Garuda Indonesia is set to soar to new heights. Reflecting on the burgeoning demand for air travel in Indonesia, the country's minister for state-owned enterprises, Erick Thohir, emphasized the urgent need to bolster the commercial aircraft fleet. He highlighted the importance of engaging in discussions with key players in the industry such as Airbus, Boeing, Russian, and Chinese aircraft manufacturers to fulfill the growing capacity requirements.

As of the latest update on December 8, 2024, data from Pilotcenter.net News indicates that Garuda Indonesia currently operates a fleet of 74 aircraft, with 55 actively in service. The fleet comprises a mix of aircraft including Airbus A330s, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Boeing 737-800s. However, the airline's fleet strategy has witnessed some notable shifts in recent years, including the cancellation of an order for four A330-800neo aircraft in October 2024.

In a bid to navigate through turbulent times following the Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2019, Garuda Indonesia had considered scrapping an order for 49 of these aircraft. Despite initial reports, the decision was later refuted by the airline. Presently, both Boeing and ch-aviation websites still list an outstanding order for 49 B737 MAX aircraft, showcasing the airline's dynamic approach to fleet management. Stay tuned as Garuda Indonesia spreads its wings and expands its reach in the aviation industry.