Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia had its inaugural flight on 26 January 1946, from Calcutta to Rangoon, using a Douglas DC-3 with the tail number RI 001, named Seulawah.
Upon former CEO Reyn Altin Johannes Lumenta's request, Garuda dilated its route map, with services to Los Angeles via Honolulu in 1990, operated using the McDonnell Douglas MD-11.
The September 11 attacks, 2002 Bali bombings, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and SARS outbreak further contributed to the fall of the airline.
[6][7] After the EU lifted its ban in July 2009,[5] Garuda began an aggressive five-year expansion plan known as the Quantum Leap, involving an image overhaul.
[9] However, after years of success thanks to the Leap, Ari Askhara taking over the CEO position made the airline inconsistent in destinations;[10] his leadership has drawn criticism.