Garuda orders 737 MAX

An artist's impression of a Garuda 737 MAX 8. (Boeing) — An artist’s impression of a Garuda 737 MAX 8. (Boeing)

Garuda Indonesia has confirmed an order 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

The Indonesian flag carrier said it would purchase 46 737 MAX 8s and convert an existing order for four 737-800s to 737 MAX 8s.

The airline already operates 77 737 aircraft, Boeing said in a statement on October 12. Its MAX order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer.

Garuda chief executive Emirsyah Satar said the 737 MAX 8 represented a “bright, efficient future” for the airline.

“This order helps continue our commitment to offer the people of Indonesia and Southeast Asia the most comfortable, most efficient air travel in the region,” he said.

Delivery dates were not disclosed.

Boeing said its 737 MAX family of aircraft had so far garnered 2,295 orders from 47 customers, with final final assembly of the first 737 MAX aircraft on track to begin in 2015.

Production of the first parts had already begun, with Boeing Fabrication Integrated AeroStructures in Auburn, Washington stage making the first fuselage stringers, which are thin strips of metal that join the fuselage together.

First flight was expected in 2016, Boeing said.