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RI speeds up compliance with EU flight rules
Indonesia expects to comply with all remaining flight safety requirements set by the European Union (EU), a prerequisite before lifting the flight ban, within two months, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said
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Indonesia expects to comply with all remaining flight safety requirements set by the European Union (EU), a prerequisite before lifting the flight ban, within two months, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said.
“We have about 10 requirements that we need to fix. We expect to finish them within two months, and in June Garuda (the Indonesia airline) can fly (to Europe),” Kalla said late Sunday speaking before Indonesian citizens in the Netherlands.
This was part of the Vice President’s three-day visit to the Netherlands. Kalla met Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Houven, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen and Finance Minister Wouter Bos.
Most of the remaining requirements are in the form of implementing regulations linked to the recently enacted new law on aviation, which highlights stricter and tougher air safety compliance, Kalla said.
Kalla added that following the ban, which took effect after a string of deadly aviation accidents in Indonesia, the deadliest being the crash of an Adam Air jet in early 2007 that killed all 102 people on board, the EU laid down about 60 requirements that Indonesian airlines should comply with to fly to Europe.
Of the total, 50 have already been fulfilled by Indonesia, he said.
EU representatives visited the country in January and recognized significant progress had been made in Indonesia’s air safety.
After meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the visit, Ambassador and Head of Delegation for the EU and EC to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam Julian Wilson said the EU was particularly impressed with the passing of the new aviation law, although implementing regulations would still be needed to make the law applicable on the ground.
Kalla added that the EU flight ban was considered as “introspection” for Indonesian airlines.
“Although at first we felt it was unfair to us, there is an aspect of security and safety that we need to consider.”
“We just need to wait for the government regulations and ministerial regulations.”
Indonesia will attend a European Commission meeting in March, and the ban could end as early as then.
