JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The trouble state-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines keeps its business operation as it had invited two private companies to support the maintenance of the aircraft under the joint operation scheme (KSO).
That 2 private companies are PT Bentang Persada Gemilang and PT Amagedon. Both parties had signed the agreement for KSO Wednesday night (Jan 22).
Earlier state management company PT Perusahaan Pengelola Aset (PPA) had proposed the closure of business operation of Merpati.
PPA views that Merpati will continue suffering losses as its aircraft fleet and routes are not sufficient for making such a profit.
Dahlan Iskan, minister of state-owned enterprise (SoE), said Bentang Persada Gemilang will handle the operation of Merpati in eastern part of Indonesia while Amagedon is assigned to handle the operation in the western part of the country.
Merpati Aviation Service, a to-be-created subsidiary of Merpati, will focus on maintenance and rejuvenation of aircraft and providing working capital for Merpati’s operation.
Currently, Merpati’s debt totals Rp6.7 trillion. Under proposed debt restructuring scheme, Merpati proposes to convert its debt into equity. Its creditors are PT Pertamina, PT Angkasa Pura I, PT Angkasa Pura II, and PT PPA. It also has subsidiary loan agreement to government of Indonesia, private lenders and lessors.