Jakarta-Indonesia, the national airline of Indonesia has officially announced the retirement of its final Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The aircraft was operated since 1994 and logged up 89, 900 hours flying time from services for Garuda. The retirement of two-decade-old aircraft was concluded in a ceremony on 9 October, Monday. At present Garuda operates a fleet of 140 Airbus, ATR, Boeing and Bombardier aircraft.
According to SkyTeam carrier, Boeing 747-400 in the airline’s fleet registered PK-GSH operated its last flight on 6 October from Madinah to Makassar carrying Haj pilgrims, followed by a ferry flight from Makassar to Jakarta.
After the 47 years of establishment, Garuda operated three Boeing 747-400s aircraft that were set with 428 seats in two class configuration: 42 business and 386 in the economy and the aircraft had played important roles in the operation of Garuda Indonesia for 23 years. Garuda Indonesia had previously operated the 747-400s aircraft to Amsterdam, Beijing, London and Singapore but the aircraft prior to retirement was only operating religious pilgrimage services to Saudi Arabia.
The airline’s chief executive Pahala Mansury said.”The retirement of Boeing 747-400 also signifies Garuda’s continued fleet renewal programme and its prolonging effort to maintain a high services quality and passengers safety by having younger fleet”.
“The last flight of aircraft PK-GSH marked the retirement of all three Boeing 747-400s owned by Garuda Indonesia. From 1994 to 2017, Garuda Indonesia operated three B747-400 planes with registration numbers PK-GSI, PK-GSG, and PK-GSH,” the statement added.
The flag carrier airline of Indonesia currently operates B777-300ER and A330-300/20 aircraft, which apart are more fuel-efficient and also provides a more comfortable flight for passengers, particularly on long-haul flights.
