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Wednesday 28 January 2009

Garuda Indonesia celebrates 60 years of flying with $60 fares

2009 is Garuda Indonesia's 60th anniversary of flying and to celebrate, when you purchase a return ticket to Bali from only $415 plus taxes* ex Darwin ($549* ex Perth and $779* ex Sydney or Melbourne), you can take a friend for only $60 plus taxes**.

The offer allows travel over a range of dates from February 2 until November 15 from Darwin, and December 4 from other ports, but passengers must be quick as they must book and pay before 28 February.

Senior General Manager Australia & Southwest Pacific, Mr Poerwoko Soeparyono said, "This is our diamond anniversary and we want to celebrate. We are the only full service airline flying direct to Bali so all our fares include free drinks, free meals, free entertainment, free luggage allowance and a complimentary blanket and pillow on board. When you add up all the extras, you can't get better value than this. And who would have dreamed that you would ever be able to fly to Bali and back for only $60!"

The history of Garuda Indonesia has closely followed the history of the nation of Indonesia. It began 

sixty years ago when the Indonesians were still locked in a struggle for independence from the colonial Dutch. Following the first flight on January 26, 1949 the first commercial services operated during the Independence campaign under the name "Indonesian Airways" using a DC3 aircraft named "Seulawah" (Gold Mountain).

From this humble beginning, Garuda Indonesia has grown to a fleet of 54 modern jet aircraft including three wide body B-747-400s, six A-330-300s, and six B737-800NGs as well as 39 narrow body aircraft of the Boeing 737 series, and a network of 42 domestic and international destinations.

By 2013 Garuda Indonesia's aircraft fleet is expected to grow by threefold with a total of 128 aircraft, thanks to new fleet additions comprising 50 B737NGs and 10 B777-300ERs, as well as the ongoing aircraft revitalization measures that will gradually replace old aircraft with more sophisticated and efficient ones.

In 2009, with the arrival of the first new B737-800NGs, Garuda Indonesia will expand their network even further by opening at least 18 new routes in both the domestic and regional sectors.

 Last year the airline successfully completed an audit of more than 900 standards to achieve registration on the IOSA (IATA Operation Safety Audit) Registry, an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess airlines' operational management and control systems.

"This achievement is evidence of Garuda Indonesia's commitment to total quality improvement in the area of service, safety, on-time departures and load factors. It brings us to a period of dynamic and successful change in providing safe, comfortable and reliable air transportation services. Yet another reason for celebration." says Mr. Poerwoko.

Take advantage of Garuda Indonesia's anniversary deal though any good travel agent, or Garuda Indonesia direct on 1300 365 331. But remember to be quick.

Media contact: Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan 02 9977 1011 or 040409 5326  nicole@fivestarpr.com.au

*Taxes ex Darwin $212, ex Perth $211, ex Melbourne $274, ex Sydney $291 as at 23Jan09 and subject to variation. ** Conditions apply.

Image caption: Indonesian Airways aircraft "Seulawah" now rests in the grounds of Taman Mini in the nation's capital, Jakarta

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