In a recent interview, Garuda Indonesia's CEO, Arif Wibowo, outlined Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xian and Zhengzhou as possible future markets for the carrier. The Indonesia – China market is highly competitive one with four other airlines – all Chinese operators - flying between the two countries alongside Garuda.
Under the revised air services agreement, both countries’ carriers will immediately be able to operate 26,500 seats a week between Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to the major gateway cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – an increase of 18 percent on the routes.
9 Air was established earlier this year as a subsidiary of privately-owned Juneyao Airlines. It is the third low-cost carrier to operate in China after Spring Airlines and China West Air and plans to offer fares priced at 9 yuan, 99 yuan, 199 yuan and 299 yuan, meaning its cheapest fares will be the equivalent of $1.50.
Our own analysis of MIDT data shows that last year around two thirds of the passengers flying with the airline from or to Auckland actually ended their journeys at other locations than Guangzhou.
