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{{for|low-cost carrier operated by Garuda Indonesia|Citilink}}

{{Infobox Airline
{{Infobox Airline
|airline=Garuda Indonesia
|airline=Garuda Indonesia

Revision as of 03:51, 24 March 2009

For low-cost carrier operated by Garuda Indonesia, see Citilink.
Garuda Indonesia
File:Logo garuda indonesia.png
IATA ICAO Callsign
GA GIA INDONESIA
Founded26 January 1949 (as Garuda Indonesian Airways)
HubsSoekarno-Hatta International Airport
Ngurah Rai Airport
Juanda International Airport
Sepinggan International Airport
Polonia International Airport
Singapore Changi Airport
Focus citiesSemarang, Yogyakarta (city), Palembang, Padang, Batam, Manado, Makassar and Perth
Frequent-flyer programGaruda Frequent Flyer
AllianceNone (applying to Skyteam)
Fleet size53 (+70 orders, 10 options)
Destinations43
Parent companyGovernment of Indonesia
HeadquartersTangerang, Indonesia
Key peopleEmirsyah Satar (President and CEO)
Websitewww.garuda-indonesia.com

PT (Persero) Garuda Indonesia is the national airline of Indonesia. It is named after the mythical bird Garuda. In Indian Vedic tradition, Garuda is the carrier of the Hindu god Vishnu; a representation of Garuda appears in the coat of arms of Indonesia. The airline is based in Jakarta at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, with hubs at Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, Polonia International Airport, Medan, Sepinggan International Airport, Balikpapan, and Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore.[citation needed] The airline flies to a number of destinations in South-East,East Asia, the Middle East and Australia. It also previously flew to several destinations in Europe and North America. However, as of June 2008, Garuda, along with all Indonesian airlines, is banned from flying to the EU[1]. Garuda Indonesia is listed as a 3-star airline by Skytrax, and is also listed among Skytrax's Quality Approved Airlines.[2] It is wholly owned by the Indonesian Government and employs 6,285 staff (as of March 2007).

History

Garuda Indonesia had its beginnings in the Indonesian war of independence against the Dutch in the late 1940s, when Garuda flew special transports with Douglas DC-3 aircraft. 26 January 1949 is generally recognized as the airline's founding date, at which time the airline was known as "Garuda Indonesian Airways." The first aircraft was a DC-3 known as Seulawah (Acehnese: "Gold Mountain") and was purchased for a sum of 120,000 Malayan dollars, which was provided by the Acehnese people (notably local merchants). [citation needed] During the revolution, the airline supported Indonesian interests, such as carrying Indonesian leaders for diplomatic missions.

The government of Burma helped the airline significantly during the airline's beginnings. Accordingly, upon Garuda's formal joint incorporation with KLM on 31 March 1950, the airline presented the Burmese government with a DC-3. By 1953, the airline had 46 aircraft, although by 1955 its Catalina fleet had been retired. In 1956, Garuda made its first pilgrim flight to the city of Mecca.

The 1960s were times of growth for the airline; the fleet in 1960 included eight Convair 240s, eight Convair 340s, and three Convair 440s. In 1961 and late 1965, three Convair 990 jet aircraft and three Lockheed L-188 Electras were introduced, and a route was opened to Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong. After concentrating on domestic and regional services, the first flights to Europe were added on 28 September 1963, to Amsterdam and Frankfurt. In 1965, flights to Europe were expanded to include Rome and Paris via Bombay and Cairo, with the exclusive use of Convair 990 aircraft. That year, flights to China started, with Garuda flying to Canton via Phnom Penh. Also in 1965, the jet age arrived for Garuda, with a Douglas DC-8 that flew to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam.

Garuda Indonesia Boeing 747-400 at Narita International Airport near Tokyo
Garuda Indonesia Headquarters in Jakarta

The 1970s saw McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and Fokker F28 jets introduced, and at one point Garuda owned 36 Fokker jets, making Garuda the world's largest operator of F28s at that time. In the 1980s, Garuda introduced Airbus equipment such as the Airbus A300, as well as Boeing 737s, Boeing 747s, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11s.

The East Asian Economic Crisis of 1998 hit Indonesia and Garuda hard, resulting in severe cutbacks on unprofitable routes. Despite once having a comprehensive worldwide route network, Garuda currently operates no flights to Europe or North America. Largely due to historical links with the Netherlands, Garuda continued to operate flights to Amsterdam after the initial cutbacks, although these flights were also discontinued from 28 Oct 2004. The situation was exacerbated by the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Bali bombings, the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and the SARS scare, all of which contributed to a downturn in air travel and Indonesian tourism. However, the airline has recovered favorably from its economic problems and seems to be in good economic shape entering the middle 2000s.[citation needed]

In 2001, a low-cost airline subsidiary, CitiLink, was established to provide shuttle services between Indonesian cities.

Garuda may expand its route map again before the end of the decade, possibly after the scheduled completion of the new Medan airport, Kuala Namu International Airport, in 2009. This could include routes to major European hubs such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt, pending clearance by the European Union.

In June 2007, the EU banned Garuda Indonesia, along with all other Indonesian airlines, from flying into any European countries. This was despite spot checks conducted by South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia and the United States on Garuda Indonesia that yielded satisfactory results. With the support of the international aviation industry for all Indonesian airlines, the EU promised to review its ban and sent experts to Indonesia to consider lifting the ban. In August 2007, the transportation minister of Indonesia announced that the EU would lift its ban hopefully somewhere in October, stating that the ban was attributed to communication breakdown between the two parties and that discussion was in the progress. In November 2007, Garuda announced its intention to fly to Amsterdam from Jakarta and Denpasar on the condition that the European Union lifted the ban on the airline. Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s are aircraft that could be used on these revitalised routes.[3] On November 28, 2007, the EU refused to lift its ban on Garuda flying to all European countries, despite lifting a ban on both Pakistan International Airlines and Blue Wing Airlines from Surinam. It announced the safety reforms already undertaken were a step in the right direction for the EU to consider lifting the ban, but still did not satisfy the EU's aviation safety standards.[4]

In July 2007, the Deputy of Marketing, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia announced that Garuda Indonesia had plans to start service to India, although the date has not been determined.[5]

In-flight services

Garuda Indonesia's flight attendants serving refreshments.
Garuda Indonesia Tokyo-Denpasar in-flight meal.
File:Garuda Indonesia Reloading.jpg
Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737 refuelling and reloading cargo, food and beverage at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Garuda Indonesia is a full-service airline, in contrast with the 'no frills' low-cost carrier. The class configuration is divided into executive (business) and economy class. The airline lacks products often associated with the top international airlines, such as personal TV screens in all classes and business class seats which convert into beds. However, the introduction of such products may become viable in the coming years due to the recent restructuring and consolidation of the airline, which has delivered good profits in the first half of 2007.[6]

Executive Class

Executive Class is available on board all Garuda Indonesia aircraft with seat pitch ranging from 41-58". On selected aircraft, in-seat TVs are available. A range of hot and cold food and beverages is available, and snacks or meals are offered depending on the length of the flight. Fine wines are offered on international flights.

Economy Class

Similarly, Economy Class is available on board all Garuda Indonesia aircraft. Seat pitch ranges from 30-35" depending on the aircraft. Hot and cold meals or snacks and beverages, are offered depending on the length of the flight. Fine wines are offered on international flights.

In-flight entertainment

In-flight entertainment is available on board selected aircraft. Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 747-400 aircraft feature cabin screens with Airshow, a moving map system to allow passengers to track the progress of their flight, as well as feature films and short movies. Audio programming is also available.

In addition, Garuda Indonesia ordered 10 Boeing 777-300ER and 50 Boeing 737-800 during the Singapore Airshow. These new aircraft will be fitted with a new in-flight entertainment program and a new cabin ambience.

Newspapers and magazines

Newspapers and magazines are provided to all passengers on board Garuda Indonesia flights free of charge.[7]

Destinations

Main article: Garuda Indonesia destinations

Garuda currently operates flights to a total of 43 destinations (23 domestic, 20 international)[8] throughout East Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia, Australia and the Middle East, with Australia and Japan being vital tourism markets.

Codeshare

Garuda Indonesia also offers flights to 13 other international destinations through code-share agreements with:

Garuda Indonesia Boeing 737-300 bound for Jakarta pushing back at Singapore Changi Airport.

Taking these codeshare routes into account, Garuda Indonesia's route map extends to Western Europe. Garuda Indonesia also hopes to join Skyteam, an international airline alliance soon, thereby becoming the only airline in Southeast Asia in that alliance. This would expand Skyteam's network to Indonesian, Australian and New Zealand destinations.

On 19 June 2007, Garuda Indonesia and Hainan Airlines entered a code-sharing arrangement in a bid to strengthen both airlines' marketing positions in Indonesia and China. [9]. In this agreement, Garuda Indonesia will be the operating partner on the Jakarta-Beijing (vv) service, flying three times a week using the new B737-800.

An interline agreement between Garuda Indonesia and Australian airline Virgin Blue was confirmed in November 2007. This eases travel for passengers connecting from a Virgin Blue domestic flight to a Garuda Indonesia international service departing from either Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Darwin.[10]

Garuda Indonesia plans to open a new route, from Chennai, India to Medan, Indonesia and onward to Singapore. Although previously planned to start in April 2008, Garuda finally confirmed the initial flight of this Singapore - Medan - Chennai route. The new route will commence its first flight on November 1, 2008. This will be Garuda's first route to India, and also the first route between Medan and Singapore. Boeing 737-500s with 96 seats in total will be used on this route. Garuda Indonesia has also signed an interline agreement with Jet Airways, which will provide feeder traffic from other Indian cities to Garuda's services ex-Chennai.[11]However, this plan has been postponed. The airline won't be opening a route to Chennai on the scheduled date.[12]

In June 2008, it was announced that Garuda will increase services between Australia and Bali. From 25 June, Garuda will add an extra flight between Darwin and Denpasar, bringing the total number of services to three per week. Additionally, a fourth flight from Melbourne to Denpasar will begin on July 22. On September 2, another extra service will depart from Melbourne to bring the total number of flights per week to five, and a sixth flight will leave from Sydney. This extra capacity is in response to an increase in the number of Australians who travelled to Bali in the first quarter of 2008, and marks a resurgence in Balinese tourism, which was hard hit by the 2002 Bali bombings and 2005 Bali bombings.[13] Garuda will also re-open Bali-Brisbane route, a route that was once previously operated and axed.

In August 2008, there will be a codeshare between Singapore Airlines and Garuda Indonesia on route between Singapore and Denpasar. Singapore Airlines will be the operating carrier.

Ticketing

A 24-hour call center is available for local customer access and is a means of booking flights since the airline's website does not handle bookings for international flights. However, passengers from worldwide can also book all domestic flights online via http://garuda-indonesia.com. It is the airline's official website. The e-ticket system (using paperless or electronic tickets) has been introduced on all domestic flights and flights to Singapore originating from Jakarta. This system computerizes the ticketing method, in which a traditional paper ticket is no longer required.

Frequent flyer program

Garuda Frequent Flyer was launched in September 1999.[citation needed] In 2005, Garuda Indonesia relaunched its frequent flyer program called Garuda Frequent Flyer (GFF) with a new look, new benefits, and new services. The new program allows members to earn miles on domestic and international flights and has four tiers of membership covering GFF Junior, Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum benefit levels. New services for GFF members include a new website at http://gff.garuda-indonesia.com, including an on-line mileage calculator for earning and redemption, on-line mileage balance, on-line personal profile management, and downloadable forms.

Executive Lounge

The Garuda Executive Lounge is open to passengers travelling in Executive Class, as well as those holding a Gold or Platinum Garuda Frequent Flyer card. Passengers with an Executive Card Plus card or Garuda Indonesia Citibank credit card can also gain access to the lounge. Lounges are located at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and throughout Indonesia, offering food and drinks, wireless internet, showers, meeting rooms and business services.[14]

Privatization

Garuda Indonesia had announced that its subsidiary, GMF AeroAsia would be listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2008. However, due to financial crisis in 2008, GMF delayed IPO until 2009. The Ministry of State Companies (Kementrian BUMN) also had announced a plan to privatize Garuda, that opened a possibility to offer its shares publicly. An offer from Lion Air to buy Garuda Indonesia was rejected.

Fleet

As of December 2008 the Garuda Indonesia fleet consists of the following aircraft:[15]

Garuda Indonesia Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Options Engines Passengers
(Business/Economy) 		Notes
Airbus A330-300 6 Rolls-Royce Trent 768 293 (42/251) Use mostly for international destinations: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Shanghai, Nagoya, Osaka, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo and domestic destinations: Jakarta, Bali, Balikpapan, Ujung Pandang/Makassar,and Manado.
Boeing 737-300 14 CFM International CFM56-3C1 110 (16/94) Use mainly on domestic routes, as well as to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur
Boeing 737-400 19 CFM International CFM56-3C1 134 (14/120)
136 (16/120) 		Use mainly on domestic routes, as well as to Darwin, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur
Boeing 737-500 5 CFM International CFM56-3C1 96 (12/84) Use mainly on domestic routes, as well as to Perth
Boeing 737-800 2 50 CFM International CFM56-7 B 156 (12/144) first eight orders arrive May-December 2009[16]

Use on international flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Perth, as well as some domestic routes. Possible to replace all Boeing 737 Classics in fleet.

Boeing 747-400 3 General Electric CF6 428 (42/386) Use on international flights to Jeddah, Riyadh, Tokyo and Hong Kong, as well as Jakarta and Bali. Will be phased out in 2012
Boeing 777-300ER 10 10 General Electric GE90-115B 459 (/) Begin to arrive in June 2010 Replacing: Boeing 747-400[17]
Boeing 787-8 10[16] General Electric GEnx 296 (/) Begin to arrive in 2011[16]. A firm contract has not been sign.
Total 49 70 10

They are all serviced by GMF AeroAsia.[18] Two of their Airbus A330s will be given to Iberia Airlines to give space for the Boeing 787-8 by 2011.

Previously operated

Incidents and accidents

Since its first incident in 1950, Garuda Indonesia has suffered 14 fatal accidents and 1 hijacked incident. These are some of them:

  • Garuda Indonesia Convair-990 crashed on 28 May 28 1968 at Juhu, in Bombay, India with all passengers surviving. The pilot mistook the much smaller Juhu Airport used for small trainer aircraft for Bombay's Santa Cruz International Airport and tried to land his aircraft. It overshot the runway falling just short of the traffic road ahead and several residential buildings when its nose wheel got stuck in a ditch at the end of the runway.
  • A Fokker F28 on a domestic flight on 11 July 1979 hit a volcano on approach to Medan Airport, Indonesia, all 61 on board killed.[19]
  • Garuda Indonesia Flight 206, a DC-9 aircraft was hijacked on 28 March 1981. This was the first serious Indonesian airline hijacking, since the first case was a desperate Marine hijacker who was killed by the pilot himself. The hijackers, a group called Commando Jihad, hijacked the DC-9 "Woyla", enroute from Palembang to Medan, and ordered the crew to fly the aircraft to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Since the aircraft didn't have enough fuel, it refueled in Penang, Malaysia and then at Don Muang, Thailand. The hijackers demanded the release of Commando Jihad members imprisoned in Indonesia, and US $ 1.5 million, as well as an aircraft to take those prisoners to an unspecified destination. The Kopassus commandos who took part in this mission trained for only three days with totally unfamiliar weapons. A total of five people were killed in the raid including the captain Herman Tante (probably by Kopassus commandos), and three of the five hijackers. One of the Kopassus commandos, Achmad Kirang, was also shot (probably by his comrades) - he later died in a Bangkok hospital. The rest of the hostages were rescued. The two remaining hijackers who had surrendered were killed on the aircraft carrying them and the Kopassus troops back to Jakarta.[20]
  • Garuda Indonesia Flight 865, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 departing Fukuoka, Japan on 13 June 1996, overran the runway after aborting the takeoff well above rotation speed. The number-3 engine fuel line was severed, resulting in a massive fire and the total destruction of the aircraft. Three of the 275 people on board were killed.[22]
  • Human Rights activist Munir Said Thalib was bound for Amsterdam via Singapore on 6 September 2004 on a Garuda flight when he was poisoned with arsenic during his flight transit in Singapore, or sometime near that time. A former Garuda Indonesia airline pilot was convicted. It was concluded from Munir's autopsy and eye witnesses during the trial, that he had died two hours before arrival in Schiphol, Amsterdam.[25]
  • Capt. Pilot Sri Hardono, commander of Garuda Indonesia Flight 501, a Boeing 737-500 from Pontianak to Jakarta, was suddenly ill shortly after take-off from Supadio Airport on 22 November 2004. Hardono immediately asked permission to the air traffic control to return to Supadio Airport. Hardono died shortly after the emergency landing while still in the cockpit. Heart attack was the cause of illness and death of Hardono. Due to the incident, the airport was temporarily closed for 40 minutes. However, no one else was injured nor killed in this incident.[26]

References

  1. ^ "List of airlines banned within the EU". European Commission's "Transport" website. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  2. ^ http://www.airlinequality.com/StarRanking/preferred.htm
  3. ^ e-Travel Blackboard
  4. ^ Indonesian president delays European visit after flight ban : Asia World
  5. ^ The Hindu Business Line : Garuda to fly into India
  6. ^ Garuda Indonesia news
  7. ^ Garuda Indonesia Airline :: Official Website
  8. ^ Garuda Indonesia website
  9. ^ Garuda Indonesia-News
  10. ^ MICEBTN
  11. ^ Travel Biz Monitor :: Garuda Indonesia to connect Chennai-Medan daily from April next year
  12. ^ http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2008/09/garuda-removes-planned-chennai-launch.html
  13. ^ Blackboard news
  14. ^ Garuda on the ground
  15. ^ Garuda Indonesia Airline :: Official Website
  16. ^ a b c http://www.garuda-indonesia.com/index.php?menu=promo&&id=5 Garuda Indonesia Orders New Planes
  17. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSSGC00176420080219 AIRSHOW-Garuda converts Boeing order to 10 777-300ERs | Industries | Industrials, Materials & Utilities | Reuters]
  18. ^ Client Base
  19. ^ Aviation Safety Network
  20. ^ Conboy, Ken (2003), Kopassus: Inside Indonesia's Special Forces Equinox Publishing, ISBN 979-95898-8-6pp.277-288
  21. ^ [1] Aviation-Safety Net
  22. ^ Air Disasters - 1996 Crash
  23. ^ Air Disasters - 1997 Crash
  24. ^ Air Disasters - 2002 Crash
  25. ^ Kontras website
  26. ^ Tempo Interaktif Pilot Garuda Diduga Meninggal Karena Serangan Jantung
  27. ^ Daily Telegraph March 2007 Crash
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