Garuda to Launch Flights to U.S. via Japan in 2017

Garuda Indonesia has unveiled plans to recommence flights to the United States from next year.

Garuda believes that flights between Indonesia and the US have the potential to attract up to 400,000 passengers per year.

The airline is looking to initially launch flights to either Los Angeles or New York, the two cities with the highest potential market.

Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Indonesia complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and has been granted a Category 1 rating. With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, Garuda Indonesia is now able to establish service to the US.

Garuda Indonesia's Vice President of Corporate Communications, Benny S. Butarbutar, said, "Our plan to re-operate the US flight service is expected to strengthen Garuda's position as a global aviation player. With the upgraded rating from FAA which recognizes the Indonesia aviation safety and security standard, we are trying to realize our plans sooner."

Garuda has already started work on a feasibility study looking at market potency, profitable routes and transit permits from Japan's aviation authorities.

"We are planning to operate wide body Boeing 777-300ER on US routes. The flight will transit at Tokyo Narita prior to flying to the US from Jakarta. Japan still grants the 'Fifth Freedom Right' to Indonesian carriers, which allows Garuda Indonesia to fill up the seats - and further increase the passenger load factor - for our flights to the US," Benny said.

In 2014, Garuda Indonesia entered into a codeshare partnership with Delta Airlines, a member of SkyTeam, for flights to Los Angeles and Seattle via Tokyo Haneda. 

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