Garuda Indonesia celebrates first Gatwick to Jakarta flight
London now becomes the second destination for the airline in Europe following the service to Amsterdam which began on 30 May 2014.
In attendance at the inaugural flight from London Gatwick were Garuda Indonesia’s UK General Manager, Jubi Prasetyo; the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, T.M. Hamzah Thayeb; and Gatwick’s Chief Operating Officer, Guy Stephenson. Also in attendance was Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester and PPS to the Minister for Asia Hugo Swire, as Trade Envoy to Indonesia.
Jubi Prasetyo said: “We are delighted to launch our new service from London to Jakarta. The route is vital in helping the UK and Indonesian government initiatives to attract tourism and trade. Garuda Indonesia is proud to be playing a key role in facilitating this. We’re also excited to give passengers wishing to travel between the UK and Indonesia their first direct service using our new B777-300ER aircraft staffed by The World’s Best Cabin Staff and providing our unique Garuda Indonesian experience.”
Passengers checking-in for the inaugural flight were welcomed by Liverpool FC Legends Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler with a keepie uppie competition judged by the former goal scorers. Garuda Indonesia is the official sponsor of the training kit worn by stars Steven Gerrard, Mario Balotelli and the rest of the squad and staff.
Garuda Indonesia’s London Gatwick to Jakarta service will operate five times a week, incorporating the non-stop Amsterdam to Jakarta service on the same B777-300ER aircraft, the quickest way to travel between Europe and Indonesia.
The start of the London Gatwick to Jakarta route represents the latest step in the airline’s Quantum Leap 2011-2015 programme. In the months preceding the launch, Garuda Indonesia joined SkyTeam (May 2014) and was awarded the 2014 Skytrax World Airline Award for The World’s Best Cabin Staff as well as being announced as 7th in The World’s Top 10 Airlines.
The service will utilise Garuda Indonesia’s state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with a capacity for 314 passengers in a three-class configuration, consisting of eight seats in First Class, 38 seats in Business Class, and 268 seats in Economy Class.
