Garuda Indonesia has signed an agreement to join Skyteam, with the joining ceremony scheduled for 2012.
The Indonesian airline will add some 30 new destinations to the alliance’s network.
Emirsyah Satar, President and CEO of Garuda, said the airline’s signing with Skyteam is part of a long-term development strategy.
“For years we have been upgrading our service and actively forging cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines with this objective in mind,” he said.
“As the first Indonesian airline to join this world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness.”
Between 2007 and 2009, the airline was banned from flying into Europe, along with all other Indonesian airlines. This followed a number of accidents involving carriers from the country.
This year, however, the airline won an award from Skytrax, naming it as most improved airline.
Leo van Wijk, SkyTeam’s chairman said: “Garuda’s financial and operational restructuring has proven very successful and I am convinced that this will help position the airline as a major player in the region.”
Skyteam hopes Jakarta will one day serve as an alternate gateway to and from Asia, helped by the airline’s plans to expand into Frankfurt, Paris, London and Rome.
Last summer, Garuda unveiled new aircraft, a new in-flight product and a new corporate identity.
www.garuda-indonesia.com