Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has signed a letter of intent with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to buy 30 of its new A350 XWB passenger jets. (Antara Photo/Yusran Uccang)

Jakarta. Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has signed a letter of intent with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to buy 30 of its new A350 XWB passenger jets.

Airbus said in a statement on Monday that Garuda planned to use the new wide-body planes, able to fly from Jakarta or Bali to Europe non-stop, to expand its medium- and long-haul networks.

“Following our success in revitalizing our regional operation in Asia and the Pacific, the development of our long haul network will be a priority in the coming years,” said Arif Wibowo, Garuda’s chief executive.

“With its reduced fuel consumption, range capability and extra-wide cabin, the A350 XWB will be one of the options for us to reposition ourselves as a leading premium carrier in the competitive long-haul market out of Asia.”

John Leahy, Airbus’s chief operating officer, said the new jet, which first went into commercial service in January with Qatar Airways, was performing well.

“The aircraft has set the new standard for the larger segment of the mid-size wide-body market and is already proving to exceed expectations in service with its first operator,” he said in the statement.

“We look forward to seeing the A350 XWB flying in the colors of Garuda Indonesia as it extends its reach to more destinations across the world.”

There were no details on the time frame for the delivery of the new planes, or how much the order cost.

Airbus says it has booked orders for 244 of the planes from operators in the Asia-Pacific region, or almost a third of the 780 orders booked worldwide.

GlobeAsia

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Source: The Jakarta Globe