Garuda Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A320 Family aircraft, making the airline a new customer for the Airbus single aisle product line. The MOU covers 15 standard A320s followed by 10 A320neo aircraft for operation by the carrier’s domestic low cost unit Citilink, replacing its existing 737 fleet.

“The A320 will be a new addition to the Garuda family and has been selected after a very thorough and lengthy evaluation process,” said Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO Garuda Indonesia. “The combination of comfort for passengers, proven reliability for high frequency services and low operating costs made the A320 the clear favourite to enable Citilink to develop its full potential in the competitive low cost market.”

“This announcement marks a new milestone in our long relationship with Garuda Indonesia,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “The A320 will enable Citilink to develop profitably its share of the fast-growing Indonesian market, benefitting from the lowest operating costs available today – which are about to get even lower with the arrival of the A320neo.”

Airbus press release