Garuda Indonesia has joined SkyTeam, a global airline alliance, as its 20th member and second airline from Southeast Asia.
Garuda’s membership adds Jakarta, Indonesia, as an alternative gateway to and from Southeast Asia, as well as 40 new destinations to SkyTeam’s network.
“Garuda’s entry into the alliance will give its customers access to SkyTeam’s 1,064 destinations, covering over 90 percent of the most relevant traffic flows in the world,” Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam’s managing director, said. “SkyTeam aims to boost its members’ competitiveness by strengthening network and hubs, enhancing its global footprint, improving customer experience and introducing innovative initiatives that enhance customer benefits.”
Garuda flies to 64 destinations in 12 countries, including 40 domestic destinations.
“Today is a historic and momentous event for Garuda Indonesia as we are now officially becoming the 20th member of SkyTeam. For these past 3 years, Garuda Indonesia has been actively forging cooperation with the other 19 member airlines with this objective in mind, and it has been an incredible journey,” Emirsyah Satar president and CEO of Garuda Indonesia, said. “Garuda Indonesia is proud to connect SkyTeam’s global extensive network to one of the largest economies in Southeast Asia via its hubs in Jakarta, Denpasar, Makassar, Medan, Surabaya and Balikpapan.”
The airline boosts SkyTeam’s presence in Australia with service to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney; and in Tokyo with flights to Narita and Haneda airports. Garuda will increase its service to Europe in May with a new route between Jakarta and London’s Gatwick airport.