Garuda to spread its wings to New Zealand

JAKARTA. National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Auckland Airport in Jakarta on Monday as part of their business expansion to New Zealand.

"New Zealand is a tourism and business potential country and we would like to take this opportunity by connecting Jakarta and Auckland," Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar said on the sidelines of the MoU signing.

He also said that the agreement covered promotional activities that would be conducted by Garuda and Auckland Airport in order to promote Indonesia in New Zealand.

"We are planning to open the route in early 2013," he added.

Garuda will use Airbus A330-300 to fly the route.

In addition, the Jakarta-Auckland route will help Garuda to connect its passengers to Latin American countries, expanding its network in the world.

The MoU was signed by Emirsyah and Auckland Airport Chairman Joan Withers and was witnessed by Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. (The Jakarta Post)