Garuda To Raise Flight Frequencies

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Garuda Indonesia plans to increase the frequency of its domestic and international flights this year as part of efforts to provide better services to the public.

"The frequency of domestic flights (from Jakarta) to Palembang will be increased to nine from eight, Batam from three to four, and Padang from three to four per day," Garuda Indonesia General Manager for Bali Juby Prasetyo said on Wednesday.

The frequency of flights from Jakarta to Surabaya would also be increased to 16 from 15, and Balikpapan to eight from seven per day, he said.

The national flag carrier would also serve the Yogyakarta-Denpasar route thrice from twice a day and the Surabaya-Denpasar route four times from thrice a day, he said.

Juby said Garuda Indonesia would open new flight routes as of June 2011 following the delivery of new Airbus 330-200 plane.

Garuda also planned to increase the frequency of flights from Denpasar to Seoul to five times from three times a week and from Jakarta to Bangkok from once to twice a day, he said.

In 2011, Garuda would also open three new domestic routes, namely Balikpapan-Surabaya, Balikpapan-Yogyakarta, and Balikpapan-Makassar, he said.

As of November Garuda would also fly to Taipei, he said.

Garuda Indonesia Sales Executive for Bali Arlin Valinda said the increasing number of flight routes would have a positive impact on the tourism industry.(*)