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GMF handles presidential aircraft maintenance
PT GMF AeroAsia, a subsidiary of the national flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia, will carry out the maintenance work of Indonesiaâs first ever presidential aircraft, which has just arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta last week
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T GMF AeroAsia, a subsidiary of the national flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia, will carry out the maintenance work of Indonesia's first ever presidential aircraft, which has just arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta last week.
'We are delighted to be given the honor to carry out the aircraft's maintenance work,' GMF president director Richard Budihadianto said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Monday.
The maintenance work for the Boeing Business Jet 2 (BBJ2) includes C-check heavy maintenance as well as light maintenance.
GMF would also support the supply for the VVIP aircraft's spare parts, components maintenance as well as the maintenance for its US$27 million cabin interior. Repainting and logo design work are also provided when needed.
'All aspects regarding the aircraft's maintenance has received approval both from Federal Aviation Administrations [FAA] and European Aviation Safety Agency [EASA],' Richard said, citing that GMF has received a certificate of approval from the FAA for all types of aircraft operated in Indonesia including the Boeing 747 series, Boeing 737-NG and Boeing 777 series.
The maintenance work will be carried out at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and GMF's fourth hangar, which is slated to
operate by the middle of this year. With an investment of Rp 500 billion ($44 million), the 57,000 square meter hangar is expected to increase GMF's capacity as it will be able to house up to 16 narrow-body aircraft at one time.
According to the State Secretariat, the aircraft has a master bedroom equipped with a bathroom, four VVIP meeting rooms, two VVIP state rooms, 12 executive areas and 44 staff areas.
With a maximum capacity of 67 passengers, The aircraft can accommodate President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his extensive entourage.
State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said that by buying the $91.2 million presidential aircraft the state would save at least Rp 114.2 billion a year, as it was less costly than renting one from Garuda Indonesia every time the President traveled.
Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar had previously refused to name the leasing rate but said that 'having a presidential aircraft would indeed make the President's trips more efficient' and impromptu presidential trips would no longer hinder Garuda's commercial flights.
GMF had previously been in charge for maintenance work of Yemen's presidential aircraft since 2003 to 2009, where the company also provided training sessions for Yemeni Presidential Flight's technicians.
