Monday, 31 October 2011 10:01:47
Category: Press Release (1584 view)
The 48th B737-800NG equipped with newest Boeing Sky Interior technology
On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Garuda Indonesia welcomed its 48th new B737-800NG which is also the 123rd B737 series aircraft delivered to Garuda Indonesia. The arrival of the B737-800NG was witnessed by the Assistant Minister of Communications, Mr. Bambang Susantono and the Garuda Indonesia Management at Hanggar 2 of the Garuda Maintenance Facilities – Aero Asia in Cengkareng.
Previously, on Monday, October 17, 2011, Boeing’s VP. B737 Operations, John Pricco, symbolically handed over the aircraft to Garuda Indonesia’s President & CEO, Emirsyah Satar, in Seattle, USA. The event, which took place at the Boeing facility, was also attended by Indonesian Ambassador to the United Stated, Dino Patti Djalal. The aircraft was then flown to Jakarta on a ferry flight with transits in Honolulu (Hawaii), Wake Island, Marshal Island and Biak (Papua).
Assistant Minister of Communications, Bambang Susantono, expressed his pleasure on the arrival of the new aircraft. ”Garuda is currently implementing a program known as Quantum Leap which primarily focuses on fleet development and revitalization,” explained Bambang Susantono. ”Seeing the remarkable improvements achieved so far, we hope that the program will take the airline further and put it on par with other world airlines”, the Assistant Minister said.
Emirsyah Satar explained that the new B738-800NG aircraft is furnished with “Boeing Sky Interior” technology which is the latest lighting fixture from Boeing. “Passengers will be treated to a unique sensory experience thanks to the sophisticated lighting installed in the cabin which is able to produce a variety of color schemes, such as soft sky blue, relaxing sunset hues and calming sunrise colors,” said Emir. “Now, with this new technology, we hope to give our passengers a more pleasurable flying experience,” he further added.
As with the new aircraft already in Garuda’s possession, the new fleet addition also comes with State-of- the- art in-flight entertainment or an Audio & Video on Demand (AVOD)” in every seat.
In keeping with the airline’s Garuda Indonesia Experience service concept, the interior of this new aircraft is decorated with the distinctive touch of Indonesia seen in the batik seat upholstery and woven bamboo motif on the plane’s cabin partition.
”This is the 123rd of the B-737 series delivered to Garuda Indonesia. We first began operating the B737 series in 1989 when B737-300s were used to serve our domestic and regional routes”, said Emir. Garuda Indonesia currently operates as many as sixty-seven of the B737 series, consisting of forty-eight B-737-800NGs and nineteen B737-300/400/500s. Garuda will gradually phase out theses classic B-737s from its fleet and replace them with B737-800NGs for both its domestic and regional flight services.
The acquisition of B737-800NG is part of the fleet development and revitalization program being carried out by the airline to modernize its fleet. The “Quantum Leap” program calls for the fleet to grow from the existing 89 aircraft to 154 aircraft by the year 2015. The new additions will consist of B737-800NG for domestic and regional services, A330-300/200 for middle and medium ranges and B777-300ER for long haul flights. The age of the aircraft will be an average 5 years old.
Garuda Indonesia also plans to acquire sub-100 aircraft, which has less than a hundred seats, to serve smaller cities and fly direct without stopping over in Jakarta.
Cooperation with CFM International
In line with its operation of the B737-800NG type in its fleet, Garuda Indonesia recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CFM International for the maintenance of the CFM56-7B engines used in the Boeing 737-800NGs operated by the airline. As agreed, CFM is bound by a 15 years contract to provide comprehensive maintenance services using the “Rate Per Flight Hour (RPFH) system.
As stipulated in the agreement, CFM and GMF AeroAsia will also work together to develop and enhance GMF AeroAsia’s capability to carry out overhaul services for CFM56-7B engines so that in the future Garuda will be able to turn to GMF AeroAsia to provide the necessary maintenance of the engines.
This kind of cooperation will undoubtedly enhance Indonesia’s airline industry which in turn will boost the growth of air transportation in the country.
Jakarta, October 20, 2011
PT. GARUDA INDONESIA (Persero) Tbk.
VP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
PUJOBROTO
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