Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia's national flag carrier airline, has appointed Glennys Kairupan, a close ally of former presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, as its new chief executive officer.
Kairupan, who is no stranger to controversy, takes the reins at Garuda after a tumultuous period marked by delays, cancellations, and declining passenger numbers. The airline has been struggling to regain its footing in recent years, with many criticizing its poor service quality and inadequate infrastructure.
As Prabowo's confidante, Kairupan is expected to bring her own brand of leadership to the airline, one that is closely tied to the former general's populist agenda. Her appointment is seen as a move by Garuda's new board of commissioners to inject much-needed stability into the struggling carrier.
Industry insiders say Kairupan's appointment is a result of her reputation for being fiercely loyal and unafraid to take risks, qualities that align with Prabowo's own leadership style. However, critics warn that her tenure may be marked by increased politicization and poor decision-making, which could further erode the airline's reputation.
Kairupan herself remains tight-lipped about her plans for Garuda, but sources close to the airline indicate that she is already working on a comprehensive overhaul of its operations and strategy. The airline's future under her leadership remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the aviation sector in Indonesia will be watching with bated breath as Kairupan takes the helm.
Kairupan, who is no stranger to controversy, takes the reins at Garuda after a tumultuous period marked by delays, cancellations, and declining passenger numbers. The airline has been struggling to regain its footing in recent years, with many criticizing its poor service quality and inadequate infrastructure.
As Prabowo's confidante, Kairupan is expected to bring her own brand of leadership to the airline, one that is closely tied to the former general's populist agenda. Her appointment is seen as a move by Garuda's new board of commissioners to inject much-needed stability into the struggling carrier.
Industry insiders say Kairupan's appointment is a result of her reputation for being fiercely loyal and unafraid to take risks, qualities that align with Prabowo's own leadership style. However, critics warn that her tenure may be marked by increased politicization and poor decision-making, which could further erode the airline's reputation.
Kairupan herself remains tight-lipped about her plans for Garuda, but sources close to the airline indicate that she is already working on a comprehensive overhaul of its operations and strategy. The airline's future under her leadership remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the aviation sector in Indonesia will be watching with bated breath as Kairupan takes the helm.