Garuda launches U.S. package

Garuda launches U.S. package

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia launched yesterday a 10-day USA tour package at a cost of US$1,500 per person to optimize the capacity of its Jakarta- Honolulu-Los Angeles service to five times a week.

"The service consists of a city tour package and car rental package," Garuda's general manager for Jakarta Iwan H. Susilo said after the launching ceremony.

The 10-day city package includes a round-trip economy class flight, nine nights accommodation, breakfast, travel insurance, and tours to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, San Diego and Pearl Harbor.

The car rental package includes a round-trip economy fare, nine nights accommodation, breakfast, a tour to Pearl Harbor, car rentals and travel insurance.

He said the package is designed to attract more Indonesian travelers to the United States. Last year they totaled 49,000.

He expects an increase of 20 percent this year.

Susilo added that Garuda also has tour packages to Hong Kong, Perth and Singapore.

On Tuesday, Garuda launched its first flight between Surabaya, East Java and Taipei in Taiwan. The new service departs Surabaya each Tuesday and Friday.

"Although we are not the first to open the Surabaya to Taipei service, we are optimistic that we will be able to attract more passengers," said Taufiq Kodir, sales manager of Garuda's Surabaya Branch at Surabaya.

Garuda is the third airline to directly link the two cities. The other two are Eva Air and Trans Asia Airways, both of Taiwan.(04)