'Technically bankrupt' Garuda tries to restructure $13.4 billion debt

Indonesian carrier negotiating with creditors as govt bailout looks unlikely

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Indonesia's flagship carrier Garuda Indonesia is negotiating with its creditors to restructure its US$9.78 billion (S$13.4 billion) debt, with the government indicating that chances of an immediate bailout are slim.

The airline, plagued by a wide range of internal issues from corruption to excessive aircraft leases that have been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, is planning a restructuring which is expected to shrink its debt to US$3.69 billion, according to the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 26, 2021, with the headline 'Technically bankrupt' Garuda tries to restructure $13.4 billion debt. Subscribe