Mansury said the Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes will replace the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft whose lease contract is about to expire. Garuda Indonesia became the first airline in Indonesia that uses the Boeing 737 Max 8. Fleet optimization is part of the airline's revitalization program and should lead to an improved corporate performance.

The Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow body aircraft and the fourth generation of the Boeing 737 type. The advantages of the Boeing 737 MAX are the engine (CFM International LEAP-1B), which is more efficient than the previous version, as well as a number of aerodynamic improvements and airframe modifications.

The fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8, which will arrive gradually in the years ahead, will serve short and medium flight routes for both domestic and international routes.

Garuda Indonesia now has an aircraft fleet that numbers 142, while a total of 200 aircraft are used by the Garuda Group (which includes low-budget unit Citilink Indonesia).

Meanwhile, last week Garuda Indonesia announced that it will add two new international routes to China, from Denpasar (Bali), starting from the end of January 2018. The two Chinese destinations are Xi'an (Shaanxi Province) and Zhengzhou (Henan Province). Every year, a significant amount of Chinese tourists visit Bali and therefore Garuda Indonesia is eager to tap this potential.

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