Garuda's operating income up

JAKARTA (JP): National flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia booked an operating income of Rp 486.5 billion (US$59 million) during the first half of the year, compared to a Rp 1.1 trillion operating loss in the corresponding period last year.

Darwin Silalahi, director of transportation at the State Ministry of the Empowerment of State Enterprises, Garuda had recorded a turnaround from a negative to a positive income, due to the corporate restructuring program in the company starting mid last year.

"The restructuring program at Garuda has been successful in improving the company's operating cash flow," he said.

Darwin however declined to reveal the company's net income, or current debt burdens.

Meanwhile, a Garuda official in Medan, North Sumatra, said Garuda would reopen next year the flight route from Medan to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The route has been closed for the past two years due to the economic crisis. (udi/39)