Garuda edges closer to London, Brisbane, Auckland flights

GARUDA Indonesia is planning to launch services to London, Brisbane and Auckland in 3Q2013 with the delivery of 24 new aircraft next year. Speaking at the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GATF) in Jakarta last weekend, Garuda president and CEO, Emirsyah Satar, said: “Next year we will receive 24 new aircraft comprising four B777-300ER, 10 B737-800 NG, two Airbus A330-200, one A330-300 and seven Bombardier CRJ-1000 NG. This will allow us to ­­expand our domestic and international network to support the Indonesian tourism (industry). “With the arrival of our B777 aircraft, we are planning to start (the) Jakarta-London (route) next year. We also plan to (to fly) to Brisbane and Auckland (with A330s).” The airline plans to fly to London four times a week initially, according to Garuda’s executive vice president of sales and marketing, Elisa Lumbantoruan. Welcoming Garuda’s potential new services, Indonesia’s deputy minister of tourism and creative economy, Sapta Nirwandar, said: “Tourist arrivals will grow much higher than they are today if we have more direct flights. Depending on other airlines means (having a) limited seat allotment. Therefore, we are looking forward to new route openings and capacity increases from our national carrier.” At GATF, Garuda also introduced the concept of a mobile ticketing counter. A converted minibus will be parked in public places such as shopping malls at stipulated times. Satar said: “The service will provide convenience for our passengers in areas like South Jakarta, where we do not have a sales office, allowing them to make reservations and check-in to get their boarding pass. They only need to drop their baggage at the airport.” The airline will first roll out the mobile ticketing counter in Jakarta, followed by other major cities. Schedules will be available on the airline’s website, according to a Garuda spokesman. Sourced: TTG Asia