Citilink
An Indonesian low-cost airline established by Garuda Indonesia and later operated as a separate subsidiary.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Citilink is an Indonesian low-cost airline headquartered in Jakarta and owned by Garuda Indonesia. It was created in July 2001 as Garuda Indonesia's low-cost brand, initially using Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft transferred from its parent. The airline began service on 16 July 2001 from Surabaya, connecting the city with destinations that were not then served by Garuda Indonesia's mainline network, including Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Tarakan, and Makassar. Its early role was therefore both commercial and strategic: it allowed Garuda Indonesia to compete in price-sensitive domestic markets while extending coverage beyond the principal full-service network. Citilink expanded during its first years, reaching ten destinations by 2004. Garuda Indonesia progressively replaced the original F28 fleet with Boeing 737-300 aircraft, followed by Boeing 737-400 aircraft. Operations were temporarily suspended in 2008, but the brand was relaunched in January 2009 after the remaining Fokker aircraft had been replaced with newer equipment. By July 2010, Citilink was operating Boeing 737-300 and 737-400 aircraft. A major transformation began in 2011, when Garuda Indonesia announced plans to spin Citilink off into a separately managed business. The plan included a new visual identity, website, cabin interior, uniforms, advertising strategy, and a substantial fleet modernization program centered on Airbus A320 aircraft. Citilink obtained its own Air Operator's Certificate in August 2012 and, from 30 July 2012, operated as a distinct subsidiary with its own airline codes, callsign, logo, and uniforms. The separation enabled the brand to develop a more focused low-cost model while remaining within the Garuda Indonesia group. The Airbus A320 program became the foundation of Citilink's subsequent growth. Garuda Indonesia finalized an order for 25 A320-family aircraft in August 2011, consisting of A320s and A320neos, while Citilink later placed a direct order for ATR 72-600 turboprops and additional A320neos. Citilink's first Airbus A320, a previously operated aircraft, arrived in 2011 and entered service on routes from Jakarta to destinations including Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, and Medan. By the end of 2013, the airline had carried approximately eight million passengers, with reported load factor and on-time performance of 85 percent and 87 percent respectively. In May 2015, its fleet included Airbus A320s alongside remaining Boeing 737 aircraft. Citilink's principal bases are Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, serving Jakarta, and Juanda International Airport, serving Surabaya and the surrounding East Java market. Its core business is scheduled, low-cost passenger air transport, primarily within Indonesia, complemented by selected regional international services. The airline's standard Airbus cabin configuration has been described as having 180 seats. In 2018 it introduced the Green Zone seating program, covering the first five rows and emergency-exit window seats, with additional charges and certain added benefits such as refreshments, drinks, and insurance. In January 2019, Citilink became the first low-cost carrier in the Asia-Pacific region reported to offer complimentary inflight Wi-Fi at cruising altitude, initially on a Jakarta–Denpasar service. The brand has also experienced operational and governance challenges. A December 2016 incident involving an intoxicated pilot on Citilink Flight 800 generated widespread public attention, led to the pilot's dismissal, and was followed by the resignations of chief executive Albert Burhan and operations director Hadinoto Soedigno. Citilink apologized to passengers and faced scrutiny from Indonesian aviation authorities. Despite this setback, the brand remains an active member of the Garuda Indonesia group, positioned around affordable air travel, domestic connectivity, and a more streamlined low-cost airline proposition. Its stated slogan is “Better Fly, Citilink.”
History
Garuda Indonesia established Citilink in July 2001 as a low-cost brand intended to serve price-sensitive routes outside the mainline carrier's network. Operations began on 16 July 2001 from Surabaya using two Fokker F28 Fellowships transferred from Garuda Indonesia. The first routes linked Surabaya with Yogyakarta, Balikpapan, Tarakan, and Makassar. Garuda transferred a total of five F28 aircraft to the brand by the end of 2001. By 2004, Citilink served ten destinations. Garuda began replacing the aging F28 fleet with Boeing 737-300 aircraft, and Boeing 737-400 aircraft were also used. Operations were suspended during 2008, but the brand returned in January 2009 following fleet changes intended to remove the remaining Fokker aircraft. In July 2010, Citilink was operating two Boeing 737-300s and two Boeing 737-400s. Garuda announced a formal spin-off plan in May 2011. The proposed transformation included separate branding, a new livery, a redesigned website and cabin, new uniforms, and revised marketing. The fleet strategy focused on Airbus A320-family aircraft, which were intended to provide a more economical platform for domestic expansion and eventual regional international services. On 9 August 2011, Garuda finalized an order for 25 Airbus aircraft, comprising A320s and A320neos, with options for additional aircraft. Citilink's first A320, a second-hand aircraft, arrived in June 2011 and entered commercial service on 16 September 2011. Citilink became an independently operating subsidiary on 30 July 2012, using its own callsign, airline codes, logo, and uniforms. It obtained its own Air Operator's Certificate in August 2012. The airline subsequently expanded rapidly with Airbus A320 aircraft. In December 2012, it ordered 25 ATR 72-600 aircraft with options for 25 more, representing its first direct manufacturer order. In January 2013, a further order for A320neos was announced. By the end of 2013, Citilink had carried eight million passengers and reported an 85 percent load factor and 87 percent on-time arrival rate. Its fleet in May 2015 consisted of four Boeing 737-300s, four Boeing 737-500s, and 34 Airbus A320s. At the end of 2019, Citilink took delivery of two Airbus A330-900 aircraft originally associated with WOW Air's order. The aircraft were intended for longer-range services, including proposed routes to Germany, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Both aircraft moved to Garuda Indonesia in June 2022 for Hajj-related operations and were later transferred back to Citilink. Citilink's principal operating bases are Soekarno–Hatta International Airport near Jakarta and Juanda International Airport near Surabaya. Its service model is centered on scheduled low-cost passenger flights, with domestic Indonesia as its primary market and regional international routes as a secondary area. The airline has also developed ancillary products. Its Green Zone program, introduced in July 2018, designates selected front-cabin and emergency-exit seats as paid preferred seats, with benefits including refreshments, drinks, and insurance. On 16 January 2019, Citilink began free inflight Wi-Fi through GX Aviation Systems, initially on flight QG684 between Jakarta and Denpasar. A significant reputational and operational crisis occurred on 28 December 2016. A passenger-recorded video from Citilink Flight 800, traveling from Surabaya to Jakarta, appeared to show an intoxicated pilot making unusual announcements before departure. Passengers reported the matter, the pilot was removed from the cockpit, and the flight was delayed by about an hour. Citilink dismissed the pilot and apologized. A second video from an airport security checkpoint prompted further public concern and investigation. The Indonesian Transport Ministry issued Citilink its first warning in connection with the episode, while chief executive Albert Burhan and operations director Hadinoto Soedigno resigned. The incident remains the best-documented major scandal associated with the brand. Citilink continues to operate as Garuda Indonesia's low-cost airline subsidiary. Its brand promise, expressed through the slogan “Better Fly, Citilink,” emphasizes accessible fares, broad domestic connectivity, and a simplified alternative to full-service air travel.
- 2022
A330-900 aircraft move between Citilink and Garuda Indonesia
[1]Two A330-900 aircraft leave Citilink for Garuda Indonesia's Hajj operations and are subsequently transferred back.
- 2019
Free inflight Wi-Fi is launched
[1]Citilink introduces complimentary inflight Wi-Fi through GX Aviation Systems, initially on the Jakarta–Denpasar route.
- 2018
Green Zone seating is introduced
[1]Citilink introduces paid preferred seating in selected front-cabin and emergency-exit rows, with additional passenger benefits.
- 2016
Flight 800 intoxication incident
[1]A widely circulated passenger video leads to the removal and dismissal of a pilot and the resignation of two senior Citilink executives.
- 2013
A further A320neo order supports expansion
[1]Citilink orders additional A320neo aircraft as the Airbus fleet becomes central to its growth strategy.
- 2013
Passenger volume reaches eight million
[1]By year-end, Citilink reports carrying eight million passengers, with an 85 percent load factor and an 87 percent on-time arrival rate.
- 2012
Citilink begins separate subsidiary operations
[1]Citilink operates independently within the Garuda group from 30 July and obtains its own Air Operator's Certificate in August.
- 2012
Citilink orders ATR 72-600 aircraft
[1]The airline places its first direct manufacturer order, for ATR 72-600 aircraft with options for additional units.
- 2011
Garuda announces a Citilink spin-off and Airbus fleet program
[1]Garuda announces plans to establish Citilink as a separately managed airline and finalizes an order for 25 Airbus A320-family aircraft.
- 2008
Operations are temporarily suspended
[1]Citilink pauses operations before being relaunched the following year with a more modernized fleet.
Products and positioning
An affordable, low-cost airline serving Indonesia's domestic market and selected regional routes, operating as a focused subsidiary within the Garuda Indonesia group.
Scheduled low-cost air transport · 2001
Domestic passenger flights
Citilink's core offering is scheduled low-cost passenger service within Indonesia. The network is designed around high-volume domestic markets and connectivity between major cities and regional destinations, with principal bases at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport near Jakarta and Juanda International Airport near Surabaya. Airbus A320-family aircraft form the main platform for the brand's high-frequency short- and medium-haul operations.
International passenger air transport
Regional international flights
Citilink has operated or planned selected regional and longer-range international services in addition to its domestic network. The brand's expansion plans included international low-cost flying, while the temporary use of Airbus A330-900 aircraft was associated with proposed services to Germany, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Ancillary airline service · 2018
Green Zone
Introduced in July 2018, Green Zone is Citilink's preferred-seat program. It covers the first five rows and selected emergency-exit window seats. Customers pay an additional fee for the option, with stated benefits including complimentary snacks, drinks, and insurance.
Passenger connectivity service · 2019
Inflight Wi-Fi
Citilink introduced complimentary inflight Wi-Fi using GX Aviation Systems in January 2019. The first reported connected service was flight QG684 between Jakarta and Denpasar, operating at cruising altitude.
Controversies
2016
Citilink Flight 800 pilot intoxication incident
On 28 December 2016, a passenger video from a Surabaya–Jakarta flight appeared to show an intoxicated pilot making unusual announcements before departure. Passengers reported the matter, the pilot was removed from the cockpit and dismissed, and the flight was delayed. A second airport-security video led to further investigation. The Indonesian Transport Ministry issued Citilink a warning, while chief executive Albert Burhan and operations director Hadinoto Soedigno resigned.
Brand decisions
2018
Citilink monetizes preferred seating through Green ZonePrice changeBackground
Low-cost airline economics commonly rely on ancillary revenue in addition to base fares.
Action taken
Citilink designated front-cabin and selected emergency-exit seats as Green Zone seats available for an additional fee, with added onboard benefits.
Aftermath
The program created a tiered seating option while preserving the airline's basic low-cost service structure.
2012
Citilink orders ATR 72-600 aircraftProduct launchBackground
Citilink was broadening its fleet and required aircraft suitable for additional regional markets.
Action taken
The airline placed a direct order for 25 ATR 72-600 aircraft with options for 25 more.
Aftermath
The order marked Citilink's first direct manufacturer transaction.
2011
Garuda approves a separate Citilink business modelStrategyBackground
Garuda Indonesia sought to give its low-cost brand a clearer market identity and a platform for domestic and regional expansion.
Action taken
The group announced a spin-off plan involving separate management, branding, uniforms, website, cabin design, marketing, and a new Airbus-centered fleet.
Aftermath
Citilink began operating as a distinct subsidiary in 2012 and expanded rapidly using Airbus A320-family aircraft.
2011
Garuda finalizes Airbus A320-family order for Citilink expansionProduct launchBackground
The planned low-cost expansion required more economical and standardized aircraft than the older Boeing 737 and Fokker equipment used in Citilink's earlier years.
Action taken
Garuda finalized an order for 25 Airbus aircraft, consisting of A320s and A320neos, with options for more aircraft.
Aftermath
The Airbus A320 became the principal aircraft type supporting Citilink's network growth.
Reported program value. (2011 order announcement)
Recent events
Sources2 sources
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