JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 3 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia’s flag carrier, PT Garuda Indonesia, has ordered a total of 14 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, to support business expansion, an official of the airline said.
The orders came, as the airline cancelled orders of 49 Boeing 737 MAX 8 from U.S. plane maker, Boeing, following two fatal crashes involving the model within the last six months. The airline said, the cancellation was made, over the loss of trust of passengers on the safety of the plane.
The delivery of the French plane maker’s aircraft will be undertaken within the next 20 years, starting from this year, said Wayan Susena, technical director of the airline.
Three of the aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to Indonesia from Sept to Dec, this year, according to him.
The aircraft will be used to serve international routes, the director was quoted by Tempo media as saying.
The Indonesian Transport Ministry has grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes in the country, one of which is owned by PT Garuda Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Lion Air, one of whose Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes crashed in Oct last year, is seeking to switch a 22-billion-U.S.-dollar order of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, 9 and 10 jets with other types of Boeing aircraft.
Meanwhile, the country’s Sriwijaya Airline has dropped orders of two jets of the model.– NNN-ANTARA
