Heard rumors that Garuda is looking at dumping the long delayed direct London flights all together now.

Heard rumors that Garuda is looking at dumping the long delayed direct London flights all together now. Anyone else hearing this?

Yup.  Apparently going via AMS as a 'tag' flight now.

For some reason I can't copy a link, but check out the leading news article on businesstraveller.com

Now confirmed - we also know now that Sydney won't get the promised Boeing 777-300ER service to Jakarta.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/garuda-axes-sydney-london-boeing-777-now-only-jakarta-amsterdam

Like the article says, I also wouldn't be surprised if the AMS-LGW leg gets axed after not too long

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/100338/garuda-axes-plans-to-fly-jakarta-to-lgw-non-stop

yes it lookslike they have 

FWIW, we're waiting for confirmation from Garuda on this...

Interesting news but understandable for reason mentioned in the Bussiness Traveller article. Historically AMS has always been the Garuday port of call in Europe and using fellow Skyteam member KLM for onwards connections is a logical step. I also think that the London market will not give Garuda full loads with multiple MH, BA, CX, SQ flights towards Asia. In AMS they only have single KL, SQ, CX and MH flights going East.

makes sense to me....Indonesia (previously known as The Dutch East Indies) and The Netherlands have historic ties..and Indonesia is a popular destination for Dutch tourists (and surrounding countries in Continental Europe).. and anything that avoids Great Britain gets the thumbs up from me!!! I would gladly take an OZ-CGK-AMS flight

NOTE: I live in OZ, have Dutch heritage...and my mothers Nasi Goreng was the BEST..lol

Hi, Well I'm one of the lucky soul that booked to LGW with Garuda in J. This has been one of those stories you read about, you know the ones, where your glad it wasn't you. All flights are stopped, and they are not taking booking to LGW or LHR. Garuda are having troubles with landing rights in UK. They have offered us MEL-Denpasar-Jakarta-AMS, then KLM to LONDON???? with 9 hrs layover and LONDON-AMS-Jakarta-MEL. They have not once emailed/Phoned/ or Communicated with us, all communication has been initiated by us. I have been offered a full refund, and I think I will take it. The question is,,,,,,,,,, is it QF,,,,EK,,,,RB,,,,,CA,,,,SIA...MMMMMM more money will need to be spent.

David, a quick question for you. A lot of Garuda stories, the pat on the back type. But will there be a kick in the pants story now.

I'd go for the refund.

Now confirmed - we also know now that Sydney won't get that Boeing 777-300ER service to Jakarta.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/garuda-axes-sydney-london-boeing-777-now-only-jakarta-amsterdam 

Could someone please enlighten me on the process for starting new routes?

Do you secure the landing rights, establish infrastructure (e.g. runway, airport capability etc.) and establish realistic schedules first before making a big song and dance to the media?

For example, AA is starting DFW/HKG in June 2014. Would they have had to secure slots at DFW and HKG, obtain government approval, ensure aircraft availability and establish realistic flights schedules (to maximise connections) in advance of any marketing campaign?

Same goes for SQ when it established its MXP/GRU tag. Would they have had to do all this ground work first and obtain reasonable assurance of all systems go before broadcasting it to the world?

Did the Garuda marketing people get ahead of themselves, when the preliminary green light was given but failed to follow through with its operations team before establishing a marketing campaign in earnest (including selling tickets)?

All money has been refunded in full, in under 10 days. Flight now booked with CX.