GARUDA INDONESIA is to buy up to six Boeing 777-200s, as part of a $1.6 billion deal to restructure its outstanding orders (Flight International, 19-25 June).
Under an agreement with Boeing, the Indonesian flag carrier has traded in orders for five General Electric CF6-80-powered 747-400s for six smaller 777s. The first two twinjets are scheduled for delivery in 2000, with two the following year and the rest in 2002.
According to Garuda president Soepandi, the 777s will be the increased-gross-weight versions, with a maximum take-off weight of 287,000kg. The aircraft will be used on routes from Jakarta to European destinations in place of higher capacity 747s. No engine has been selected and, with the first deliveries some four years off, an early decision between the GE GE90, Pratt & Whitney PW4000 and Rolls-Royce Trent 800 powerplants is not expected.
The debt-ridden, state-owned, carrier has still to find financing for the 777 purchase. The deal, however, is understood to have the support of Indonesian transport minister Haryanto Dhanutirto, who has been pressing Garuda to restructure in preparation for planned partial privatisation in 1997.
Source: Flight International
