SINGAPORE,
Feb. 19, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Jakarta-based
Garuda Indonesia today announced at the Singapore Air Show that
the airline has ordered four 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes.
The order is valued at more than $1 billion at current list
prices.
Additionally, Garuda confirmed a previous unidentified order
for seven Next-Generation 737-800s placed in 2007, and announced
that it has converted 18 of its existing 737-700s on order to
737-800s and six 777-200ERs on order to 777-300ERs.
"We are extremely pleased with the support provided by Boeing
to restructure previous purchase commitments," said Emirsyah
Satar, president-director and chief executive officer of Garuda
Indonesia. "This will enable Garuda to strategically implement
its fleet renewal and expansion plan to meet the demands of
a changing marketplace."
Garuda originally placed an order for six 777-200ERs in 1996
and 18 737-700s in 1999, which were recorded on Boeing's order
books. With today's announcement, Garuda's total order now stands
at 25 737-800s and 10 777-300ERs jetliners. Additionally, the
airline acquired purchase rights for an additional 25 737-800s
and 10 777-300ERs.
"The Next-Generation 737-800 and 777-300ER's dependability,
low operating cost and passenger comfort will provide unmatched
value and reliability for our passengers and enhance the position
of Garuda as the full-service airline of Indonesia," Satar said.
Garuda's 737s will be fitted with Blended Winglets, which will
improve fuel efficiency, increase range, and reduce CO2 emissions
and takeoff noise.
"The digitally designed Next-Generation 737-800 and 777-300ER
are the most technologically advanced airplane families for
the single- and twin-aisle market flying today," said Dinesh
Keskar, vice president, Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"We are honored that Garuda has selected Boeing jetliners to
support its strategic modernization plan and we welcome this
occasion to strengthen our long-time partnership with Garuda
and our commitment to Indonesia's aviation industry."
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 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.
The
airline flies to a number of destinations in South-East and
East Asia, the Middle East and Australia, and previously flew
to several destinations in Europe. However, as of January 2008,
Garuda, along with all Indonesian airlines, is banned from flying
to the EU. (2)
It is wholly owned by the Indonesian Government and employs
6,285 staff (as of March 2007).
In
June 2007, the EU banned this airline, along with all other
Indonesia airlines, from flying into any European countries.
Spot checks conducted by South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia
and the United States on Garuda
Indonesia yielded satisfactory results. Under the support
of the international aviation industry on all Indonesian airlines,
EU promises to review its ban and will send experts to Indonesia
for consideration to lift its ban.