Garuda Indonesia finance director Ashkara Danadiputra said the flights that would serve the prospective routes would be ready by the second or third quarter of 2015, as the carrier was awaiting the delivery of three new Boeing 777s.

"The 777s that we ordered will not be efficient if they are used on short- or medium-haul routes. It costs the same to fly them on a long-haul route," Ashkara said on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He added that the new planes would arrive between June and October.

Meanwhile, Garuda Indonesia president director Arif Wibowo said the carrier had chosen to fly to Germany and France due to their relatively stable economic conditions, compared to other European countries.

To support the European operations, Garuda will use 10 out of 18 new planes arriving this year.

Arif also said that Garuda would increase frequencies to European routes, such as the plan for daily flights to Amsterdam and London. The planned French and German routes would be flown four times a week.

The added Boeing 777s will increase Garuda'€™s passenger numbers to 1,200 passengers per week or 62,400 passengers a year. (dyl)(+++)

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