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Employing Air Force pilots not a priority: Garuda Indonesia chief
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A Garuda Indonesia plane. (Shutterstock.com/cesc_assawin)
N
ational flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has said employing pilots from the Indonesian Air Force is not a priority in trying to end its dispute with pilots.
Garuda Indonesia president director Pahala N. Mansury said in Jakarta on Monday that employing Air Force pilots was a last resort.
"We have several options. It [employing Air Force pilots] is just one of the options. Of course, the [priority] is to increase the number of Garuda pilots," he said.
He said the airline would require additional pilots to match the consistent increase in the number of flights every year, especially during peak seasons.
He explained that the transition period from being a military pilot to a commercial pilot takes time. “They should have [pilot] licenses for commercial aircraft operations," he said.
The issue on the employment of Air Force pilots by Garuda Indonesia surfaced when the Garuda Pilots Association (APG) and Garuda Indonesia Workers Union (Sekarga) threatened to go on strike in protest of the company's policy and management.
He said the APG and Sekarga had informed the government of its plan to hold a strike last year and again in May, giving the government 30 days to meet its demands. Its demands include a reshuffle and restructure of the airline’s board of directors.
Currently, the management and unions are involved in a negotiation mediated by government bodies. (bbn)
