Garuda and Lot Agree On Flight Cooperation

London (Antara Bali) -  The country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia agreed on flight cooperation with Polish airline LOT  to open direct flights between Jakarta and Warsaw.

Garuda President Director  M. Arif Wibowo had met with LOT's chief executive  Sebastian Mikosz in Warsaw to discuss details of the agreement.  

The two sides want that the agreement  could be realized soon, Counselor Roos Diana Iskandar at the Indonesian embassy in Warsaw told Antara news agency   here on Tuesday.

Arif Wibowo was in Warsaw accompanying the Indonesian Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel during his recent visit to Poland.

The two airlines would have code share  or  Special Priority Agreement (SPA).

Arif Wibowo said currently Garuda has served flights between  Jakarta  and two cities in Europe -- Lindon and Amsterdam --  and hopes to expand its operations in the region.

Based on a study Poland is another profitable country of destination  in Europe, he said. "Garuda is ready to sign SPA with  LOT," he said.

Poland is strategically located  and it could be hub for Central and and East Europe including Scandinavia, he said.

Sebastian Mikosz said he was pleased with the meeting  that could lead to immediate cooperation. "The route is promising  and would mutually benefit the two airlines," he said.

He said LOT is strengthening its fleet  and plans to expand operation to Asia .

He said last year LOT reported US$26 million net profit, the first in seven years and the profit was 40 percent higher than expected. (WDY)