Garuda Indonesia Plans to Serve Manila By End of 2014

In an effort to meet rising demand for air travel within Southeast Asia, Indonesian national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has unveiled a plan to launch new non-stop service to Manila by the end of 2014.

Image Source: Wikimedia
Once launched, the new route will add yet another city to Garuda Indonesia's extensive network of 64 global destinations across 12 countries. The carrier also operates to 40 destinations throughout Indonesia. However, this is not the first time that the Indonesian flag carrier will serve the Philippines.

The airline last flew to Manila in the 1990's but was forced to suspend all services during the Asian financial crisis in 1997. Like Philippine Airlines, Garuda Indonesia was also placed on the European blacklist of air carriers with significant safety concerns. However, the airline was removed from the list just two years later in July 2009 for successfully meeting European air safety standards.

Since then, the Indonesian flag carrier has been making a series of strategic moves to claw its way back and boost its international presence as demand rises in Indonesia for overseas travel and a number of Indonesian destinations grow in popularity as major beach destinations for foreign tourists.

Most recently, Garuda Indonesia joined global airline alliance, SkyTeam, in March with the goal of tapping into the alliance's vast network of 1064 cities in 178 countries. In May, the carrier restored service to Europe with a direct flight from Jakarta to Amsterdam. That service will extend to London in September adding further competition for Philippine Airlines, which plans to downgrade its London service to older A340 aircraft in October.

Garuda Indonesia is currently focusing on international routes in an effort to improve the carrier's financial performance. "One of our goals for expanding international routes is to increase dollar transactions and stabilize our finances," said Emirsyah Satar, CEO of Garuda Indonesia. The airline will add 27 new aircraft to its fleet in 2014, raising the total number of aircraft in its fleet to 169. By the end of 2015, the carrier plans to operate as many as 194 aircraft.

Garuda Indonesia's non-stop service to Amsterdam is currently the only direct route linking Amsterdam and Jakarta, providing business and leisure travellers with a convenient connection between both cities. The service to Amsterdam, which will extend to London's Gatwick Airport on September 8 is operated by a brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

In addition to Manila, Garuda President Satar stated that the company is also eager to expand its international network to Mumbai, India. Currently, there are few air links between the Philippines and Indonesia. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both operate service from Manila to Bali and Jakarta with a few weekly flights each.

AirAsia Philippines recently expressed interest in launching flights between the two countries to stimulate demand for air travel and grow traffic between the Philippines and a number of cities in Indonesia pending the successful renegotiation of the Philippines-Indonesia air services agreement. AirAsia already has its own affiliate operating in Indonesia.

15 comments:

  1. GI has one of the worst safety records ever!...

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    1. FYI.You're wrong. GA has improved their performances. In 2011 GA receiving as most improved airlines by skytrax. In 2013 GA finished at position 8 as world's best airlines by skytrax and in the same year GA also finished as world's best economy class and seat airlines by skytrax.

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    2. Its GA not GI, Oh really, PAL is looking shit compare to GA, from any perspective, GA like a ferrari and PAL is Toyota vios.

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    3. last time i checked, PAL was ranked 93rd out of 100 list of best airline in the world, GA 7th. suck it.

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    4. This year garuda winning title world's best cabin crew and also ranked 7th in skytrax award. Worst safety record? You must trying to fly with garuda indonesia, and you will know how far they have improving their safety and pax comfortable.

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    5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    6. I'm Filipino Indonesian but I choose Garuda Indonesia. I hate Philippine Airlines. I don't like their service.

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  2. I thought PAL also flies to Bali. did they stop?

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    1. No. PAL still offers flights to Bali and capital city, Jakarta

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  3. Mahal din ang fares ng Garuda parang Thai Airways.

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  4. This airline is far ahead of pal compare to service, food, seatcomfort. Look at their new 777s and 737s. Even their 737s have personal screen. Their new t3 that their constructing will be worldclass to.

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  5. Indonesia is also upgrading alot of airports and new systems.. in 2 years they will be much further ahead than philippines in aviation safety. Their safety record is bad, but all learn from mistakes. Flying within philippines is not safe either. No ils, rnav, or radar enviroment

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    1. They have ils in some airports.. but most are non.. 390P from terminal fee go towards upgrading?? We should get a anti corrupt police like Indonesia. We are behind im everything.

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  6. Terima kasih Garuda Indonesia..

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  7. I admire the courage it takes to pursue a career where every decision matters. AV8 Prep learning how to fly

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