The Boeing Company and Jakartabased Garuda Indonesia announced at the Singapore Air Show that the airline has ordered four 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order is valued at more than US$1 billion at current list prices.
Additionally, Garuda confirmed a previous unidentified order for seven Next-Generation 737-800s placed in 2007, and announced that it has converted 18 of its existing 737-700s on order to 737-800s and six 777-200ERson order to 777-300ERs.
“We are extremely pleased with the support provided by Boeing to restructure previous purchase commitments,” said Emirsyah Satar, president-director and chief executive officer of Garuda Indonesia. “This will enable Garuda to strategically implement its fleet renewal and expansion plan to meet the demands of a changing marketplace.”
With this recent announcement, Garuda’s total order now stands at 25 737-800s and 10 777-300ERs jetliners. Additionally, the airline acquired purchase rights for an additional 25 737-800s and 10 777-300ERs. Garuda along with all other Indonesian carriers are banned from flying to the European Union over safety concerns, something that is widely viewed as a key factor in Garuda choosing Boeing over Airbus for its fleet renewal.
Garuda, the fl agship carrier for Indonesia, currently operates a mixed fl eet that includes 43 737-300/400/500/800 airplanes as well as 747-400s, and operates both domestic and international routes in Pan-Asia and the MiddleEast.