Garuda Indonesia to Fly to US Via Japan

Sept. 13, 2016
Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia plans to re-operate its flight service to the US. The Indonesia potential market to the US reaches up to 400,000 passengers every year.

CENGKARENG, INDONESIA, Sept 11, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia plans to re-operate its flight service to the United States (US) from next year. This plan follows the announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last month 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.

Vice President of Corporate Communications Garuda Indonesia, Benny S. Butarbutar, stated that the re-operation of the US flight service is a strategic response upon the FAA announcement, and indeed was one of the airline strategic plans.

"Our plan to re-operate the US flight service is expected to strengthen Garuda's position as one of global aviation player. With the upgraded rating from FAA which recognizes the Indonesia aviation safety and security standard, we are trying to make plan realization even sooner," Benny said.

Benny added, that in regard to plan, Garuda Indonesia has now already started to work on preparation, including feasibility study upon the market potency, profitable route, high-utilized aircraft, as well as transit permit from Japan aviation authority.

"Due to the initial preparation, we are planning to operate our wide body Boeing 777-300ER to serve the US flight. With some consideration especially on commercial aspect, the flight will transit at Tokyo Narita prior flying to the US from Jakarta. Up until now, 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," he explained.

The Indonesia potential market to the US is quite remarkable, reaching up to 400,000 passengers every year. Capturing the potential, Garuda Indonesia targeting its US flight to Los Angeles or New York, as two cities with highest potential market.

In 2014, Garuda Indonesia announced its codeshare partnership with Delta Airlines - as the same member of SkyTeam alliance - for flight service to Los Angeles and Seattle via Tokyo Haneda.

"We are trying our best to realize the plan earlier, as well as ensuring that all preparations running comply with all procedures and regulations," Benny concluded.

About PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk

Garuda Indonesia currently operates over 90 weekly direct flights from Singapore to three Indonesian destinations including Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya and 2 European destinations, Amsterdam and London. In 2016, the Group will receive 17 new aircraft consisting of 1 Boeing 777-300 ER, 4 Airbus A330-300, 4 ATR72-600, and 8 Airbus A320 for Citilink, an LCC subsidiary. By the end of this year, the Group will operate a total of 197 aricraft; 144 by Garuda Indonesia and 53 by Citilink.

Garuda carries a five-star rating by Skytrax, making it the seventh airline to earn the prestigious award. After being named 'World's Best Regional Airline' in 2012, and 'World's Best Economy Class' in 2013, it ws awarded as 'World's Best Airline Cabin Crew' by Skytrax in 2014, 2015 and 2016, for the third year running. In 2016, Skytrax recognized Garuda Indonesia as 'the most loved airline in the world'.

Garuda Indonesia officially became the 20th member of the SkyTeam alliance in March 2014. The Company is listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange [IDX:GIAA]. For further information, please log on to www.garuda-indonesia.com, follow @IndonesiaGaruda on Twitter, like our Facebook page at PT.GarudaIndonesia, or subscribe to youtube.com/GarudaIndonesia1949.