Garuda Indonesia History: From the Seulawah DC-3 to Today – Airline Employee Shop

Garuda Indonesia History

Garuda Indonesia began with a single DC-3 paid for by the people of Aceh during Indonesia's fight for independence, and grew into the nation's flag carrier. Here's a short history of Garuda Indonesia, plus the Garuda Indonesia collection that celebrates it.

Born in the independence struggle (1948-1949)

During the struggle for independence, the people of Aceh, notably local merchants, raised the money to buy a Douglas DC-3. It was named Seulawah, after a mountain in Aceh, and registered RI-001. On 26 January 1949, flying as Indonesian Airways, it made a commercial flight from Calcutta to Rangoon. That date is generally recognised as the airline's founding. The Burmese government gave the young airline important help in its early days.

Garuda takes shape (1949-1967)

In December 1949 KLM Interinsulair Bedrijf, a local subsidiary of KLM, was nationalised, and the airline took the name Garuda Indonesian Airways. Garuda was formally incorporated jointly with KLM on 31 March 1950. The name comes from Garuda, the bird that carries the Hindu god Vishnu. In 1956 Garuda flew its first flight to Mecca, carrying 40 Indonesian pilgrims in a Convair. Its first jet, the Convair 990, arrived in 1963. After its first DC-8 came in 1965, Garuda began scheduled flights to Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Growth and hard times (1968-2008)

Wiweko Soepono led Garuda as chief executive from 1968 to 1984. DC-10s and Boeing 747s joined the fleet over the following decades. In the mid-1980s Landor Associates created a full rebrand under the name Garuda Indonesia. At its peak the airline flew to many cities in Europe, Australia and Asia. The 1997 Asian financial crisis and later setbacks forced deep cuts.

Quantum Leap and today (2009-today)

A five-year Quantum Leap plan from 2009 brought a new livery, new aircraft and a 5-star Skytrax rating. Garuda joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2014. In 2022 it restructured more than US$9 billion in debt and kept flying as Indonesia's flag carrier.

A few things collectors love

  • The people of Aceh collected about 20 kg of gold to buy the Seulawah, and a monument to the aircraft stands at Blang Padang in Banda Aceh.
  • From 1969 to 1985 Garuda flew a red and orange "hockey stick" livery. Landor's rebrand then brought deep royal blue and aqua.
  • The 2009 "nature's wing" livery kept the 1985 bird symbol with only minor changes.

Shop Garuda Indonesia

Browse Garuda Indonesia logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Garuda Indonesia collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for a gift any Garuda Indonesia fan will enjoy.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Garuda Indonesia.