Indonesian customs office has held five jetliners belonging to state-run air carrier Garuda Indonesia, and will seize another one, for customs irregularities, local press said on Oct. 24.

The six Boeing 737-400s came under inquiry as Garuda reportedly leased them under temporary import scheme whose term already expired, reported leading news website Detik.com.

"We hold (the planes) because Garuda failed to follow customs procedure," director general of customs and excise Anwar Suprijadi was quoted as saying.

Anwar said the state firm had committed customs irregularities concerning the six jetliners for six months.

The five planes were sealed with red-tapes at a hangar in the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport while another plane was due for the seizure after a commercial flight to South Sulawesi.

The customs office claimed Garuda had been given a prior notice up to two months in advance but remained defiant. Garuda spokesman Pujobroto was not available for immediate comments.

Garuda has 48 planes of mostly leased and plans to add four Boeing 737-400s into its fleets in January 2008 while awaiting the arrivals of 25 brand new Boeing 737-800NG starting in 2009.