Garuda Indonesia CEO Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan announced that the state-owned airline is in talks with Boeing to purchase 50 to 75 aircraft, including the controversial Boeing 737 Max 8 and 787-9 Dreamliner models, marking a dramatic reversal from the carrier's previous stance against the Max following the deadly 2018 Lion Air crash.
The potential deal represents a significant strategic shift for Garuda, which previously cancelled a $6 billion order for 49 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets in March 2019 after two fatal crashes involving the aircraft type worldwide, and returned its sole Max 8 to its leasing company in 2022 after three years of grounding.
According to Panjaitan, the airline is exploring direct purchases from Boeing's factory rather than leasing arrangements, with the acquisition forming part of Garuda's ambitious fleet expansion strategy to strengthen its international network and support its ongoing financial recovery efforts.
The negotiations come as Garuda seeks to rebuild its operations following years of financial distress and restructuring, with the airline previously reducing its fleet from 144 aircraft before the COVID-19 pandemic to fewer than 40 after debt restructuring in 2022.
BOC Aviation Ltd has confirmed discussions with Garuda about potential Boeing 737 Max 8 leasing arrangements, indicating that the Indonesian flag carrier is considering multiple procurement options as it evaluates bringing the aircraft type back into service despite its controversial safety history.
