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Garuda 'surprised' by EU ban extension
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 04/14/2008 11:52 AM | Business
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia was surprised to hear the European Commission's decision to extend the ban on the airline from entering European territory, the airline claiming to have carried out the necessary measures to improve safety.
Last Friday, the EU decided Garuda and other Indonesian airlines would remain blacklisted, saying Indonesian authorities and Garuda were yet "to demonstrate they had completed the corrective actions".
"Pending both this demonstration and the completion of remedial action by Garuda and the other airlines, it was decided that none of the Indonesian carriers could be withdrawn at this stage from the list," the EC said in a statement.
However, Garuda spokesman Pudjobroto said the decision was unexpected, especially after a Garuda delegation had informed the EU Commission on Transportation earlier this month of the progress it had made in its safety commitment.
"Garuda Indonesia was the only airline which had the opportunity to discuss safety improvements," he told The Jakarta Post.
He explained the delegation, spearheaded by President Director Emirsyah Sattar, met with the committee on April 3 in Brussels and claimed they were "impressed" with the airline.
"They acknowledged our changes and were happy we were about to receive a safety certificate from the IATA (International Air Transport Association)," he said, referring to International Operational Safety Certification (IOSA).
IATA is a group of 161 international airlines and Garuda is its sole Indonesian member.
An IOSA certificate recognizes the operation, maintenance, safety management, training and finance management of international standard airlines.
Pudjobroto said Garuda was set to receive the certificate next May, after going through 600 checks.
Indonesia was first on the EC's list in July last year after four deadly crashes, including one Garuda Boeing 737-400 in Yogyakarta on March 7, in which 21 passengers died and many others were injured.
The list of banned carriers, effective last Friday, includes those from Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The EC said it would continue to closely monitor Garuda's corrective action progress. (rff)
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Concerned (not verified) — Fri, 07/18/2008 - 7:50pm
As much as I am concerned if indonesian airlines and regulatory bodies are doing enough to improve the safety standards AND transparency (e.g where is the follow up report to Adam Air's blackboxes?)
I also think it is also heyday we should speak out against arbitrary "bullying" by western nations.
We should consider banning any EU airlines from entering Indonesian Airspace. At current fuel prices, EU airlines can't bear to lose their Australian route or they will need to detour to reach Australia.
Think about it, we have been in history puppeteered by "dominant nations".
The Reader (not verified) — Sun, 06/01/2008 - 6:38pm
Flying with Garuda internationally is not cheap, even if it is not banned, no one will or should fly with Garuda until they publicly announce safety standard has raised and quality of service improved.
The Concern Indonesian (not verified) — Sat, 05/31/2008 - 3:27pm
Garuda should not be surprised.As usual we dont do our homework well.
Remember also last year when the Dirgen of Air Transport choose instead to attend a ceremonious event of Mandala Airlines at Paris Airshow? Rather working hard to lobby, he seem fancying at a show, than facing the EU committee in Brussel.
Seems we always be happier in a "jalan jalan" mode than worrying the impact of such ban.
No wonder the EU pissed off, despite their extended goodwill and finally taking this firm-decision to run the ban.
EU banned should be a wakeup call not only to airlines but to other transportation mode as well as a nation if we do want to get respected.We need to be serious if we want other taking us seriously. Other wise Indonesian will be just clowns in front of the world, dismissed as a failed nation (state).
Coming back to the issue, EU should actually banned using of land. sea, river transportation as well.
They should see the statistic (and non-statistic)of fatalities on road,sea/river bound accidents.
If EU IS seriously concern first for her citizens safety, then they should pressure the Indonesian to pull themselves together. Just easily the embassies can check in Bali alone how many fatalities, road accident happened to their fellow country-man/woman.
I do not want to jeopardise the livelihood of my fellow citizen whose life in the tourism industry depend so much on the overseas visitors. But if can not pull ourselves together, I welcome others who can push the change here. Too bad, it is bitter medication but I can swallow that as long as it helps us to be a better nation.
Our in-lander mentality is still so much instill in our soul, we need a "bule" to clean our act..
bn
The Reader (not verified) — Thu, 04/17/2008 - 1:57pm
indonesians don't understand detail - just not in the culture.
Mark Austin (not verified) — Tue, 04/15/2008 - 1:29pm
Should be no surprise when an Ethiopian airline, which many people may chose to avoid simply on the basis of association (with lack of resources), has been prominently recruiting Indonesian pilots on the Jakarta Post. Or after the Phuket air disaster through Indonesian pilot error. Or after it was revealed Adam Air's ill fated flight had equipment which the ground staff had failed to correct in what, 2 years? Or that the two Adam Air pilots broke the number one cardinal rule and both got out of their seats at the same time. Or that they broke the next cardinal rule and turned the autopilot off. It is no good saying Garuda, with its murderous past (Munir), is another company. Indonesian airlines have bad, gun ho, ex-Indonesian air force attitudes which put people's safety at grave risk. The EU has enough problems keeping terrorists out of their skies without badly trained / disciplined pilots in poorly maintained aircraft as well. Losing the expectations / political whining and change the culture is the answer.
The Reader (not verified) — Tue, 04/15/2008 - 3:53am
Why would Garuda be surprised by EU ban extension? Garuda Indonesia has never been a safe airline to fly. Has Garuda made any improvement since the accident? I think very little. I am as an Indonesian will never fly the airline internationally. Domestically, I have no choice since it is still the more reliable among all other carriers.
Please Garuda, wake up and learn your lesson! You are the worst carrier in SE Asia.