Garuda to Conduct 99 Extra Flights

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA) - Garuda Indonesia plans to conduct 99 extra flights seven days before and after the Idul Fitri festivities in response to rising demand for air transport services. "We want to anticipate an increase in the number of air passengers particularly seven days before and after the festivities," PT Garuda Indonesia Vice President for Corporate Communication Pujobroto said on Wednesday. He said 36 extra flights would be made available for the Jakarta-Denpasar route, 30 extra flights for the Jakarta-Singapore route, 17 extra flights for the Jakarta-Padang route, eight extra flights for the Jakarta-Yogyakarta route and eight extra flights for the Denpasar-Surabaya route. "In addition, we will also operate wide-bodied planes for certain flight routes to anticipate a surge in the number of passengers during the festivities," he said. The extra flights and wide-bodies planes would have 24,930 seats, he said. In total, the number of seats the national flag carrier would provide seven days before and after the festivities would reach 891,671 compared to 715,255 in the same period last year, he said. Therefore, he asked would-be passengers who would make homeward trips not to make sudden reservations the more so because the airline company was determined to provide optimum and professional services to passengers. "By doing so, homeward travelers' convenience and security can be ensured. It is advisable that in booking tickets passengers use names according to those written in their identity cards," he said. To reduce queues for Garuda tickets, he called on passengers to use city check-in facilities at Garuda ticket sale offices, check-in kiosks at Garuda Gallery in Senayan, Jakarta, and airports. "In addition, they also can contact our call center which operates round the clock through 021-23519999 or 08041807807 for ticket reservation. They can also visit our website www.garuda-indonesia.com," he said.