REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian airline Garuda and the national airline of the United Arab Emirates Etihad Airways officially announce a codeshare agreement. According to AMEinfo.com, the codeshare will go on sale on October 18 for travel from October 28, 2012.

"Through codeshare agreement, Garuda Indonesia will be a partner of Etihad Airways to develop their destination in eastern outbounds," the Executive Director of Garuda, Emirsyah Satar, said on Thursday. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways will support network expanding of Garuda Indonesia in western outbounds.

Satar said that the commercial cooperation was a part of a 5-year plan called Quantum Leap. "This is also our effort to improve the service for passengers," he said.

To Etihad, the agreement is the airline's 42nd codeshare. James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer, said the codeshare with Garuda Indonesia was a key plank of the airline's network development strategy.

"The partnership with Garuda Indonesia will contribute to Etihad Airways achieving its goal of expanding its network and brand presence in South East Asia," he was quoted in AMEinfo.com.

"It will also stimulate trade in foodstuffs, manufactured goods and other commodities between Indonesia and trading partners in the western hemisphere which, in turn, will contribute to the profitability of the airlines' cargo operations on the route," Hogan added.

The cooperation also allows Garuda's passengers to connect the flight to more than 80 cities in 50 countries in the world served by Etihad Airways, such as in Europe, US, Middle East, and Africa.

Starting from December 2012, Garuda will convert the flight route of Jakarta-Dubai-Amsterdam to Jakarta-Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam. This route will be served four times a week by Airbus A330-200 with the capacity of 222 passengers. 

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika