Delta Air Lines supports Garuda Indonesia's application to join SkyTeam

"We are honored that Garuda Indonesia has chosen to link its future growth and success with Delta and our SkyTeam partners, while bringing our alliance unique access to Indonesia," said Vinay Dube, Delta's senior vice president - Asia-Pacific. "Garuda's growing hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar, and extensive network throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific, will bring our customers greater access to destinations across one of the world's fastest-growing regions."

Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a fast growing emerging market. SkyTeam is actively working to grow its presence in the region, with Garuda becoming the fifth Asian-based airline this year to join or announce its intentions to join SkyTeam. Vietnam Airlines joined the alliance in June while China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines are each slated to join by 2012.

Garuda has a broad Indonesian and regional network that will add 30 new destinations to the SkyTeam alliance network. The airline has implemented a financial and operational restructuring in recent years and was named the 'World's Most Improved Airline' at the Skytrax 2010 World Airline Awards.