Garuda Indonesia is to begin flying from Gatwick to Jakarta in late 2013 which will become the first direct service to the Indonesian capital from the UK.
The move is a boost for Gatwick which has been trying to attract more long-haul services to Far Eastern destinations.
Garuda said that it will start the six times per week Gatwick-Jakarta service in the last three months of 2013 but did not give a more specific date. The airline currently operates an Amsterdam-Jakarta service via Abu Dhabi.
The new non-stop Gatwick service will use a Boeing 777-300 ER which will have a capacity of more than 300 passengers.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Despite being a crucial high growth business market for the UK, Indonesia has been underserved with no direct routes to the region from the UK – until now. Jakarta is also a major hub airport for south-east Asia, giving UK passengers even more access and choice to the region.
“Whilst the UK is one of the best connected countries in the world, we need more direct links to key markets such as Indonesia. At Gatwick, we’re playing our part by investing in the airport and, with our airlines, opening new routes to growing economies such as China, Russia, Turkey, Vietnam and now Indonesia.”
Garuda Indonesia’s and CEO Emirsyah Satar added: “We chose Gatwick as the UK airport because of its convenience and good network and accessibility options into Europe and beyond.
“This flight will be more convenient since it will be serving passengers - non-stop - from Jakarta to London with the brand new B777-300ER, which will be equipped with wifi and a chef on board for first class passengers.”