Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - State-owned airline company PT Garuda Indonesia said it has prepared Bombardier CRJ 1000 planes for flights on the Medan and Makassar hubs starting in November 2012.

"Eleven of the Canadian Bombardier planes had been purchased by the management and some of them are scheduled to arrive in Indonesia this year for use at the new Medan and Makassar hubs in November this year," Garuda Indonesia Senior General Manager for West Indonesia Suranto said in Medan Saturday.

Suranto is in Medan since Friday to attend the opening of the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GATF) inaugurated by Medan Mayor Rahudman Harahap on Friday afternoon (30/3).

The Medan, Makassar and Balikpapan hubs are considered to be very potential. "The Medan hub has become increasingly potential because the airport will also be new," he said.

The operation of the Bombardier CRJ 1000 NextGen planes is part of the Garuda's aircraft development program and network.

The operation of the planes by way of the Medan and Makassar hubs is aimed at increasing the connectivity of cities in the two hubs or Balikpapan hub strengthening the Garuda Indonesia's network as a whole.

The planes are also expected to increase Garuda's efficiency because the Bombardier planes are low fuel consumption aircraft. (*)

Editor: Ade P Marboen
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