Citilink: Garuda's Low-Cost Airline for Flying Cheap in Indonesia

History and positioning

Born as a low-cost subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, Citilink allows the group to compete with local low-cost carriers such as Lion Air without undermining the premium positioning of the main brand, a model common among the large Asian airline groups that run both a scheduled carrier and a low-cost one under the same corporate umbrella.

The fleet

The fleet is made up almost entirely of Airbus A320s, a choice that simplifies maintenance and crew training while keeping operating costs low, consistent with the brand's low-cost positioning in an archipelago where demand for short-haul domestic flights is particularly high.

Routes and network

The network is concentrated on domestic connections between the Indonesian islands, from Jakarta to Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, supported by a few short-haul international routes to Singapore, Malaysia and other nearby Southeast Asian markets.

Fares and baggage

The fare model follows the standard low-cost scheme: a base fare without checked baggage included, with surcharges for a suitcase and seat selection that can be bought at booking or directly at the airport at a generally higher cost.

Citilink is the right choice for anyone who needs to travel between the Indonesian islands on a tight budget and does not need extra services on board. It is less suitable for those looking for comfort or flight-change flexibility, where the main Garuda brand or the group's full-service Batik Air remain preferable. A practical tip: always buy checked baggage online in advance rather than at the airport, because on this airline the price difference between the two options is particularly marked compared with other low-cost carriers in the region.