The owners of Sempati Air Transport are to acquire 26 Boeing 737-200s from United Airlines, in an effort to revitalise the financially struggling Indonesian carrier.
Asean Marketing Investment (AMI) has reached an agreement with United Airlines to purchase the surplus 737s for use by the Indonesian regional carrier. AMI is a subsidiary of the Humpass Group, a major shareholder in Sempati which is controlled by Hutomo Mandala Putra, youngest son of Indonesia President Suharto.
The deal is believed to be worth about $100 million, including the cost of refurbishing the ageing 100-seat aircraft, and forms part of a fresh injection of capital by Humpass into debt-ridden Sempati. The 737s were originally scheduled for delivery over a 12-month period from the end of this month, but it is understood that the entry into service of the first aircraft has slipped to February.
Sempati plans to use the aircraft to supplement seven 737-300s and replace its remaining Fokkers, including four grounded F27s now being offered for sale. It also wants to dispose of seven Fokker 100s on 12-year operating and finance leases from General Electric Capital.
The carrier is facing a major shortfall in capacity, with three of its four Airbus A300B4s leased from the manufacturer impounded in Malaysia because of non-payment of rentals. A fourth twinjet is grounded in Jakarta for heavy maintenance, while an F27 is stranded in Singapore due to an outstanding maintenance bill .
Garuda is to sell its five McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s and rationalise its fleet around four types, disposing of A300B4s, Boeing 747-200s and Fokker F28s.
Source: Flight International
