REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Garuda Indonesia Airlines will add a new route to China's Chengdu, Sichuan capital city. The route was projected to be in full operation in second half of 2014.

"Currently, Garuda had three routes, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Before the end of 2014, Garuda will add a new one to Chengdu," Vice President Garuda Indonesia Airlines to China Region, I Wayan Subagia after a video launch ceremony of "Garuda Indonesia Discovery: Our Journey to Excellence" in Garuda City Center Auditorium, Cengkareng, Banten province, Friday.

According to Wayan, as reported by Antara, the company had completed the feasibility study of new route to Chengdu and prepared for any related issues such as permits and aircrafts preparation to serve the route.

He said the growth of passenger from China to Indonesia had been increased, as it related to the growth of China's population, the strengthening of local currency and economy.

Other factors are emotional contact between the people of China and Indonesia as well as the raise of both side business relations.

Currently Garuda had been flying three cities in China, to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in seven times a week.

The passenger load factor from Jakarta-Beijing route was 150 passengers a day with Airbus 330, while the passenger load factor to Shanghai was 100 passengers a day with Airbus 320 and to Guangzhou were 40 passengers a day with Boeing 777.

So the total passengers served by Garuda from Jakarta to China were 105.840 passengers a year.

"With a new route to Chengdu, it is expected to increase about 10 percent compared to the existing passengers served by Garuda," he said.

Even so, Wayan was not confirmed whether the Chengdu route is from Jakarta or Bali.

"It was still analyzed. The Chengdu-Jakarta off course will be connected to other big cities in Indonesia while a Chengdu-Denpasar (Bali) is only to serve tourists who want to visit The Dewata Island," Wayan said.

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