Garuda Indonesia has signed a letter of intent to purchase 30 Airbus A350 XWBs.
The airline will use the type to develop its medium and long-haul network, says Airbus, noting that the A350 can fly nonstop from Jakarta and Bali to Europe.
Development of Garuda's long-haul business "will be a priority in the coming years", says airline chief Arif Wibowo. "With its reduced fuel consumption, range capability and extra-wide cabin, the A350 XWB will be one of the options for us to reposition ourselves as a leading premium carrier in the competitive long-haul market out of Asia."
Airbus sales chief John Leahy asserts that the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered A350 has "set the new standard for the larger segment of the mid-size widebody market and is already proving to exceed expectations in service with its first operator", Qatar Airways.
Asia-Pacific, notes Airbus, accounts for 244 of the 780 A350 orders to date.
Earlier this morning at the Paris air show, Garuda tentatively committed to 30 787-9s plus up to 30 more 737 Max 8s. It had previously disclosed an intent to purchase 50 Max 8s.
Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets shows that there are 22 Airbus aircraft – all A330s – within Garuda's 134-strong active fleet.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
