Garuda to Launch Gatwick Flights in Q4 2013

Garuda Indonesia has chosen Gatwick to operate direct flights between London and Jakarta.

From Q4 2013 travellers will be able to fly direct between Indonesia and the UK six times per week.

Garuda Indonesia will operate the route with Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft capable of carrying over 300 passengers, and will feature Wi-Fi and even a chef on board for First Class passengers.

The UK is now one of the largest markets to Indonesia with 160,000 people currently travelling to the region on business and leisure.

Indonesia is an increasingly important market for the UK. Bi-lateral trade is growing and in April 2012, during Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Indonesia, a partnership commitment to double trade (goods and services) by 2015 to £4.4 billion was announced. This new direct route will boost business activities between the two countries and help towards meeting that bi-lateral trade commitment.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, “We want to link Britain up with the world's fastest growing economies. And good air links are a vital to achieving that. This new route from London to Jakarta is good for British business and will help them to compete in the global race.”

Gatwick’s Chief Executive Stewart Wingate, added, “We are delighted that Garuda Indonesia has chosen Gatwick to operate this vital direct route. 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 ... We look forward to welcoming Garuda Indonesia later this year.”