Indonesia's flag carrier resumes Europe flight after EU ban ends

Indonesia's leading carrier PT Garuda Indonesia has started flying to Amsterdam following the lifting of the travel ban by the European Union last year.

The first flight departed from the main airport in Jakarta on Tuesday and arrived on Wednesday at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, the detik.com reported on Wednesday.

The firm has targeted to open routes to Frankfurt, London, Paris and Rome, President Director of the company Emirsyah Satar has said.

The firm has also planned to fly to the United Stated in 2013, he said.

The European Union imposed a ban on 51 Indonesian airliners in July 2007 following rampant air accidents in Indonesia killed over 250 people. In July last year, EU lifted the ban on four of the country's leading carrier, including Garuda Indonesia as they have improved their air safety standard.

Source: Xinhua