Garuda Indonesia plans to launch flights betweenJakarta andAmsterdam Schiphol via Dubai in June next year, marking its return to Europe after six years.
The Indonesian carrier formerly flew to Amsterdam and other points in Europe, but ceased these flights in 2004 as part of broader cost cutting measures. It plans to operate Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the new route.
The movecomes just months after the partial lifting of a blanket ban imposed on all Indonesian carriers by the European Union in 2007 over safety concerns. In July the EU lifted the ban against Garuda and three other carriers; Mandala Airlines, Airfast Indonesia and Premiair. The other carriers have not confirmed if they plan to begin long-haul international flights.
As part of Garuda's plan to grow its international network, the carrier is also reinstating an interline agreement with Dutch carrier KLM. Senior management at both carriers are also discussing the possibility of codesharing. The interline agreement, which had existed for decades, lapsed after the EU ban.
Earlier this year, Garuda began operating direct flights from Jakarta to South Korea's capital Seoul and the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne. These are consistent with its aim of making Jakarta a more convenient regional hub.
Garuda has ordered 50 Boeing 737-800s that began to arrive in stages from July and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs that will begin to arrive in 2011. This year, it will also take delivery of four new Airbus A330-200s.
Source: Airline Business
