Indonesia’s international flagship air carrier Garuda Indonesia has appointed Grebstad Hicks Communications (GHCasia), the leading Asia-based specialist in promoting luxury lifestyle, hospitality and travel, as PR partner for Hong Kong and Macau.

The move comes as part of an aggressive plan by the airline to totally reinvent itself and change its perception in the market.

Garuda Indonesia, or PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, currently operates 93,000 annual flights to a total of 49 destinations – 32 domestic and 17 international.

Its route network extends throughout Asia including the Middle East, Australia and Japan, as well as Amsterdam in Europe.

The airline has unveiled an aggressive 5-year expansion plan known as its Quantum Leap which envisages doubling the size of its fleet from 62 to 116 aircraft, and more than doubling passenger traffic to 27.6 million by increasing its domestic and international routes to 62.

Route expansion plans include world hubs such as London, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Los Angeles.

The re-modelling also includes an image-overhaul, changing the airline's livery, staff uniform and logo.

“We have completely transformed ourselves into one of the finest airlines in the region, we are very confident in the quality of our product and we now want the world to know about it,” said M. Riza Perdana Kusuma, General Manager Hong Kong & Taiwan of Garuda Indonesia.

Garuda Indonesia is now listed as a coveted 4-star airline by Skytrax, the world’s leading airline ratings source, and is also recognised among Skytrax's Quality Approved Airlines, named as the World's Most Improved Airline in the 2010 World Airline Awards in Hamburg.

Grebstad Hicks Communications is Asia's most dynamic boutique public relations agency, specialising in travel, tourism, hospitality, property and luxury lifestyle.

The company was established in 1998 by Lynn Grebstad and Paul Hicks and now employs more than 40 PR professionals in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok providing communications advice, strategy and services.

“We are delighted to be working with Garuda Indonesia as it begins a new era of expansion and international recognition for its improved performance,” said Paul Hicks, Founding Partner of Grebstad Hicks Communications.

For more information of Garuda Indonesia please visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.

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For high resolution images or media enquires, please contact:

PR Representatives – Asia

Minnie King / Joyce Li / Stephen Allington

Grebstad Hicks Communications – Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2810 0532 | Fax: +852 2525 7972

Email: minnie.king@ghcasia.com / joyce.li@ghcasia.com / stephen.allington@ghcasia.com