Garuda Indonesia joins SkyTeam

Garuda Indonesia signed (23-Nov-2010) an agreement to join the SkyTeam airline alliance in 2012. Garuda will expand SkyTeam's presence in Southeast Asia, adding 30 new destinations to the alliance network. Some of the new destinations include Surabaya, Medan and Perth. SkyTeam stated it is actively working to grow its presence in the region. Garuda already cooperates extensively with Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, China Southern and China Airlines and will establish additional codeshare agreements with other SkyTeam partners. The joining process leading to full entry into SkyTeam is expected to be completed by 2012. Garuda President and CEO Emirsyah Satar stated the carrier expected revenue to increase by 8-10% once it joins the alliance (Dow Jones, 23-Nov-2010). [more]

Delta Air Lines announced (23-Nov-2010) its support of Garuda's decision to join SkyTeam. [more]

Garuda Indonesia: "Joining SkyTeam is a long-term development strategy for Garuda Indonesia, and for years we have been upgrading our service and actively forging cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines with this objective in mind. As the first Indonesian airline to join this world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness," Emirsyah Satar, President and CEO. Source: SkyTeam, 23-Nov-2010.

SkyTeam: "The most fitting word to characterise 2010 for SkyTeam is growth. Welcoming a member that covers a considerable part of Southeast Asia definitely illustrates our expansion, Indonesia has great cultural and historical wealth, is rich in a range of natural resources and has seen impressive economic developments. Garuda's financial and operational restructuring has proven very successful and I am convinced that this will help position the airline as a major player in the region," Leo van Wijk, Chairman. Source: SkyTeam, 23-Nov-2010.