Aircraft are key element in fleet modernisation programme

Garuda Indonesia, the national carrier of Indonesia, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 11 more A330-300 widebody aircraft. The contract was signed today in Jakarta by Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia and Tom Williams, Executive Vice President, Programmes, Airbus, in the presence of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The order is the third to be placed by Garuda Indonesia for the A330 since July 2010, with the carrier now having a total of 21 aircraft on firm order for future delivery. All the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

Garuda Indonesia has chosen the latest extended range 235 tonne maximum take-off weight variant of the A330-300. The carrier will operate the aircraft with a premium two class layout on services from its hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali) to destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

“The A330 has proven to be a key element in the success of the revitalised Garuda Indonesia,” said Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia. “The low seat mile cost and high passenger appeal make the aircraft a perfect fit for our fleet and a firm favourite with our passengers.”

“We are pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with Garuda Indonesia,” said Tom Williams, Executive Vice President, Programmes, Airbus. “The A330 is undisputed leader in its class. It offers proven reliability, low operating costs and one of the most comfortable cabins in the sky. This winning combination makes it the preferred choice of airlines worldwide and will enable Garuda Indonesia to realise its full potential as a premier international carrier.”

The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded nearly 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and more than 800 aircraft are flying with some 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.

Garuda Indonesia currently operates 14 A330 aircraft, comprising eight A330-200s and six A330-300s.

Airbus press release