Garuda considers more international flights

Airline Industry Information, Oct 7, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Indonesia's national carrier Garuda is to increase the number of international flights it operates and is considering reopening services to the Philippines and the US.

Garuda is also keen to start flights to India servicing Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay or Madras.

The airline cut flights to Honolulu in Hawaii and Los Angeles due to falling passenger demand in 1994 and the carrier's flights to Manila ended in 1998, again due to falling passenger demand.

A spokesperson for the airline said that the likely destination in the Philippines would be Manila while flights to Honolulu, Los Angeles and New York are all being considered with a decision expected in early 2005. Garuda currently flies to 22 international destinations and controls 50% of the Indonesian domestic market, reports The Associated Press.

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