Garuda delays London launch
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Garuda Indonesia has been forced to postpone the launch of its flights to London, due to capacity restrictions at Jakarta’s Soekharno-Hatta International Airport.
The national carrier had planned to start flying to the UK capital on 2 November 2013, using its brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. But it has now been informed the runways and aprons at Soekarno-Hatta “do not meet the required level of strength… for the operation of a full capacity, heavy duty commercial airline such as the B777-300ER”.
Garuda could still operate the flight, but it would have to reduce take-off weight by 39 passengers, or limiting the amount of cargo carried, which Garuda said “would have a serious effect on the operational and business requirements of this route”.
As such, Garuda said it will delay the launch of its London service until May 2014, when it will commence five weekly direct flights to the UK capital’s Gatwick airport.
Meanwhile, Garuda also welcomed the arrival of its second B777-300ER aircraft this week. The new aircraft will be used to operate the route between Jakarta and Jeddah.
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