Garuda Expanding in Asia

Garuda Indonesia is introducing new routes, new aircraft and adding frequencies in four Southeast Asian markets - Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore - in response to pent-up demand for travel across the region. The move is also in support of the airline’s goal to grow international departures by more than 300% to 1,222 weekly by 2014.

“Southeast Asia is an important market and a key growth region for Garuda Indonesia,” said Iswandi Said, Senior General Manager – Area Asia, Europe & Middle East, Garuda Indonesia. “We are confident that with these latest developments, we will be able to capture a larger share of the market, in line with Garuda Indonesia’s five-year ‘Quantum Leap’ strategy of becoming one the most profitable airlines in Asia.”

All the new routes and developments will be supported by a fleet of technologically advanced Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft. The aircraft features Garuda Indonesia’s signature ‘Nature’s Wings’ interior with individual touch-screen LCD TVs throughout Executive and Economy Classes with Video on Demand (VOD) entertainment systems offering 25 feature films and 25 audio tracks.

Garuda Indonesia is set to re-instate non-stop flights from Hong Kong to Bali and Surabaya from 1 June 2010. There will be three flights to Surabaya and four Bali flights weekly. Customers who purchase tickets from now until the end of June 2010 will be able to enjoy the special launch fares of HK$2900 for Bali and HK$2500 for flights to Surabaya.

 In addition to the new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft which will be deployed with full in-flight facilities on the Bali and Surabaya routes, Garuda Indonesia has been operating a new fleet of Airbus A330-200, which feature fully reclining flat beds with 74-inch seat pitch in the Executive Class on their Jakarta flights as well.

Catering to businessmen and avid golfers who need to arrive early for meetings and tee-offs in Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia has also introduced early morning flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, doubling the daily frequency. The convenient timing and reliability of the 07:10 flights ensure that travellers arrive on-time for a full day of activity before departing on the evening flights at 18:55.

In Singapore there has been an increase in frequency to seven flights a day to Jakarta from five earlier this week.

Garuda Frequent Flyers and Executive Class passengers departing from and arriving at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok can now also enjoy greater convenience with dedicated check-in counters and fast-track security clearance.

Garuda’s New NG Boeing 737-800

At the Singapore Airshow 2010, ASIA Travel Tips.com spoke to Captain Mahendra Wedha Ilavi about the airline’s new NG Boeing 737-800. In the brief interview he talks of the benefits it offers passengers, as well as what it is like to pilot. He also discusses which commercial passenger plane he would most like to pilot and why.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Garuda, Indonesia