GARUDA INDONESIA announced its return to London with all the pomp and ceremony associated with the launch of a new route. Passengers on the inaugural flight into Gatwick Airport on September 8 were given a truly British welcome at the gate by people dressed as Beefeaters and Coldstream Guardsmen, who handed out commemorative key rings. At the check-in area, two Liverpool Football Club legends, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler, greeted outbound travellers and judged a special ‘keepie uppie’ competition. Garuda Indonesia has a close relationship with the Merseyside club and is official sponsor of the team’s training kit. A reception at the nearby Sofitel Hotel for the media included a presentation of traditional Indonesian music and dancing, as well as formal speeches.
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The inaugural flight receives a traditional water cannon salute from Gatwick Airport’s fire department as the aircraft passes under the facility’s iconic passenger bridge.
(GATWICK AIRPORT)
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The maiden flight was operated by Boeing 777-343ER, PK-GIF (c/n 29148) which is pictured about to land on Gatwick’s single runway after a short hop across the North Sea from Amsterdam/Schiphol
(GATWICK AIRPORT)