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Who owns Citylink Air?

Published in Airline Ownership 2 mins read

Citylink Air, widely recognized as Citilink, is owned by PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, the national flag carrier of Indonesia. Citilink operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, established to serve the low-cost carrier segment of the aviation market.


Understanding Citilink's Ownership Structure

Citilink was initially conceived as a budget airline brand of Garuda Indonesia in 2001. Over the years, its operational scope expanded significantly, leading to its full spin-off as a separate entity, PT Citilink Indonesia, in 2012. Despite operating independently, it remains a crucial part of the Garuda Indonesia Group, leveraging the parent company's extensive experience and network in the aviation industry.

This strategic ownership allows Garuda Indonesia to cater to a broader range of passengers, offering both premium services through its main brand and affordable travel options via Citilink.

Key Details of Ownership

Aspect Detail
Airline Name Citilink (PT Citilink Indonesia)
Parent Company PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
Type of Airline Low-Cost Carrier (LCC)
Headquarters Jakarta, Indonesia
Parent's Role National flag carrier and full-service airline
Ownership Status Wholly-owned subsidiary

The Strategic Importance of Citilink

Garuda Indonesia's ownership of Citilink is a strategic move to penetrate the highly competitive low-cost travel market, which has seen substantial growth, particularly within Southeast Asia.

  • Market Diversification: By operating Citilink, Garuda Indonesia can capture different market segments without diluting its premium brand image. Citilink focuses on domestic and regional short-haul routes, offering competitive fares.
  • Network Expansion: Citilink complements Garuda Indonesia's routes, allowing the group to offer a more extensive network across Indonesia and to various international destinations, particularly in Asia.
  • Operational Efficiency: As a low-cost carrier, Citilink employs different operational models to maintain cost efficiency, such as single-class configurations and direct point-to-point flights, which contributes to the overall profitability of the Garuda Indonesia Group.

For more information, you can visit the official websites of Garuda Indonesia and Citilink.