Garuda, from one bird to another
In 1950, Garuda Indonesian Airways emerged in the context of Indonesian independence, after KNILM, KLM Interinsulair and years of tension between the Netherlands and the young Republic.
The plan crosses the archipelago from west to east: Aceh, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara. It tells the story of an airline and of a huge country to connect.
The birth of an Indonesian national airline.
Connect islands, provinces, volcanoes, rice fields and inland seas.
The logical aircraft for Garuda and the lines of the period.
Many islands, maritime branches and tropical weather.
Understanding the flight
The title perfectly sums up the history: from KLM's Pelican to the Indonesian Garuda, aviation changes symbol and sovereignty.
The map must preserve the scale of the archipelago. Long sea branches are not empty: they explain why aviation becomes essential.
Before departure
- Use a DC-3 or a robust touring twin.
- Keep realistic tropical ceilings, but let volcanoes and coasts remain visible.
- Prepare maritime branches with fuel, weather and alternates.
- Split the route by major islands so the country remains readable.
Suggested route
Aceh, Sumatra and Jakarta
Sabang, Banda Aceh, Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jambi, Pangkal Pinang, Pontianak, Tanjung Pandan and Jakarta establish western Indonesia.
WIAA → WITT → WIMM → WIBB → WIMG → WIPA → WIKK → WIOO → WIKD → WIII
Java and Kalimantan
Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Sampit, Samarinda, Tarakan, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin and Surabaya thicken the network.
WIII → WIIB → WIIJ → WIIS → WRBS → WRLS → WRLR → WRLL → WRBB → WRSJ
Bali, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara
Bali, Sumbawa, Makassar, Manado, Maumere, Waingapu and Kupang provide the eastern extension.
WRSJ → WRRR → WRRS → WAPP → WAMM → WRKC → WRRW → WRKK
Experience tips
The DC-3 is perfect here: slow enough to see the islands, strong enough to chain the branches.
Treat each island as a visual chapter, with its own weather and light.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2014