Aiming to increase service quality for its customers Garuda Indonesia and Korean Air signed an Memorandum of Understanding in increasing marketing cooperation. The MoU was signed by President & CEO of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar, and President & CEO of Korean Air Lee Jing Hee in Nusa Dua yesterday (July 24th).

Emirsyah explained that the MoU covered a number of issues including expanding seat allotment in code share partnership from 20 to 30 on Jakarta – Seoul – Jakarta and Denpasar – Seoul – Denpasar, and expansion of domestic routes in the frame of Special Prorate Agreement (SPA). Previously both companies have been engaged in code share agreement to serve 7 per week Jakarta – Seoul flights in which Korean Air acted as operating carrier whilst Garuda Indonesia acts as marketing party, in which Korean Air operated an A-330.

Furthermore both companies would also assessed possibility to code share domestic routes they fly, implementation of interline e-ticketing for easier access by prospective customers, and expanding capacity and outreach of cargo services.

Additionally Korean Air was also commit to support Garuda Indonesia to join Skyteam, airline alliance initiated by Korean Air which includes KLM, Air France, China Southern Airlines, Czech Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Air Europe in its membership list. Being the world’s largest airline alliance, Skyteam flies 841 destinations in 162 countries with more than 16,409 flight per day.

Emirsyah explained that Garuda Indonesia projected to become a four-star airline in 2009 and five-star airline in 2010. “Therefore our management will do our best to to restructure every aspects of our business including operation and customer service”.