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ational flag carrier Garuda Indonesia says it will expand its European network in 2014 with services to Russia using new Boeing B777-300 ER aircraft.

Garuda Indonesia marketing director Elisa Lumbantoruan said on Monday that the Russian market remained attractive and strong, despite the economic slowdown that has mired most of Europe.

“Russia is a good market. If we compare them to other countries in Europe, it is more promising and stronger,” Elisa said.

He said that the airline would take first delivery of the 10 Boeing B777-300 ER aircraft in June next year intended for use on the Jakarta–Moscow route.

The aircraft are suitable for long-haul routes, according to Elisa, as they can fly nonstop with a range of up to 14,685 kilometers and a capacity of 365 passengers.

“We would like to further expand our market in Europe, such as to London and Frankfurt, when the crisis shows any signs of recovery,” he said.

The airline also plans to resume services to New Zealand next year and further expand into the North American market in two years.

After suspending the New Zealand service in 2004, Garuda plans to fly daily from Jakarta to Auckland
in 2013 using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The airline also intends to launch a Jakarta–Los Angeles service in 2014 using the B777-300 ER aircraft.

Meanwhile, Garuda’s budget carrier, Citilink Indonesia, is set to expand into the short-range domestic market by the third quarter of 2013 after it accepts delivery of new turbo-propeller-powered engine aircraft.

Citilink CEO Arif Wibowo said the company would initially base its planes in Batam, Riau Islands, and Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

“We will connect Batam and Lombok with cities around their respective regions, such as Pekanbaru, Medan, Labuan Bajo and Kupang,” Arif said.

After Batam and Lombok, Citilink would expand into Balikpapan, East Kalimantan and Makassar, South Sulawesi, Elisa said.

He said the company had yet to decide whether to use French-made turboprop ATR 72 aircraft or Canadian-made Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft for the new markets. “We are still evaluating the types of aircraft we will use, and we plan to announce a decision some time in November.”

Garuda previously announced it would order 50 70-passenger turbo-propeller aircraft for US$20 million per aircraft.

Citilink would provide 180 flights a day by the end of 2013, Elisa said.