Garuda Indonesia is planning to introduce a direct route from Gatwick to Jakarta via Amsterdam this September.
Operated using one of its new B777-300ER aircraft, the announcement is part of the airline’s strategic international network expansion programme and offers the only direct connection between the two island nations.
The new service will fly five times a week and supports the Indonesian government’s aim to see trade between the two countries reach $7 billion (£4.16 billion) by 2015.
Garuda Indonesia’s president and CEO, Emirsyah Satar, highlighted: “The opening of the London-Jakarta service will support economic activities between Indonesia and the UK, in light of the growing trade transaction between the countries each year.
“In addition, we hope the operation of this new route will also have a positive impact on the local business scene.”
Travellers from the UK can take advantage of easy access throughout Indonesia and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, with the route also connecting with the national carrier’s onwards service to Australia.