Previously Cardig owned 100 percent Mandala Airlines when the company April 17, 2006 took over ownership of the airline worth Rp 300 billion from a foundation owned by the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad).
Cardig's newly appointed president director, Diono Nurjadin who announced the sale October 1 further said, "With two supporting companies, Cardig and Indigo, we hope Mandala Airlines will be more vigorous in the years to come. Especially the joint venture is a long term cooperation and reflects a combination of a company with a strong business administration background and a company that has vast experience in managing international airlines."
Nurjadin did not revealed the nominal of the 49 percent sale, but added that Cardig owned 10 companies related to the aviation industry, while Indigo as partner would share experience in financial management specially in international airline investment sector.
Lim Liang Song of Indigo said his company has committed to give full support to Mandala Airlines in transforming it to be one of the major player in the domestic market and meeting international standards.
Alex Widjojo, Mandala's spokesman added, four new lease Airbus A320s would be deployed last October to strengthen Mandala's existing 14 aircraft servicing 18 domestic destinations.
"We are also planning to add another six aircraft by 2007 and will grow even more in the coming years. We will continue to focus on domestic flights, meeting demand and giving our customer better service," he said.
Presently Mandala is training 38 new pilots in France, Spain and other countries in conjunction with its fleet expansion planning. In the coming months, the airline will introduce service of purchasing ticket through ATMs for the convenient of their customers. (source: angkasa magazine - dudi sudibyo-November 2006)
