Garuda Indonesia and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Capital have signed an agreement covering the sale and leaseback of eight Boeing 737-800s.

The carrier's president, Emirsyah Satar, and DAE Capital CEO, Robert Genise, today signed the agreement at a ceremony in Jakarta.

The agreement covers the sale and leasback of eight 737-800s.

These are the first of 25 737-800s the national carrier has on order.

The first was due to arrive in May but a Garuda spokesman at the signing ceremony says there may be a two to three month delay.

He says the eight aircraft will be used on domestic and international routes.

These new aircraft will have back-of-seat inflight entertainment systems in economy and business class, he adds.

Today's signing ceremony was held at the World Islamic Economic Forum. Indonesia's president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and other heads of state witnessed today's signing ceremony.

Garuda mostly operates 737-300/400s but in recent years has been adding 737-800s on operating lease from firms such as CIT and GE Commercial Aviation Services.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news