JAKARTA. National carrier Garuda Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 17 universities and schools in Indonesia, offering benefits to their students and others.

The agreement, signed by Garuda Indonesia marketing and sales director Elisa Lumbantoruan and representatives from the universities and schools, stipulates that Garuda is the official airline for those institutions.

“Garuda gives 25 percent discount for the students and a baggage limit of an extra 10 kilograms. We will also provide special rates for lecturers and staff,” Garuda Indonesia spokesman Pujobroto said on Wednesday in a press statement, adding that the discounts were valid for domestic and international flights, as well as for official and leisure trips.

“This is part of our efforts to improve customer loyalty among Indonesian universities and schools as well as expanding our target market,” Elisa said.

Garuda aims to cooperate with 1,600 corporate partners and to accrue Rp 3 trillion (US$324 million) in revenues from the cooperation. The airline has cooperated with more than 1,500 companies in Indonesia thus far.

The universities and schools are as follow:

Airlangga University

Hasanuddin University

Riau University

Diponegoro University

Bandung Institute of Technology

Bogor Agricultural Institute

University of Indonesia

Gadjah Mada University

Mulawarman University

University of North Sumatra

Principal Bandung International School

Global Jaya

ACG International School

Paramadina University

Tiara Bangsa School

Pelita Harapan Foundation

Jubilee International

(Sita W. Dewi/ The Jakarta Post)