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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of remedial action by Garuda and the other airlines, it was decided that none of the Indonesian carriers could be withdrawn at this stage from the list," the EC said in a statement.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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NPS (not verified) — Mon, 08/04/2008 - 6:29pm
The feasible plan is to satisfy the other 40% details on safety improvement required by the EU prior to the next scheduled voting.
By that time, if Indonesian airlines, particularly Garuda would still be banned, Indonesia should strongly consider the ban of EU airlines entering Indonesian airspace.
Otherwise, the thought of "bullying" would be inevitable
DESMIER de CHENON (not verified) — Sat, 08/02/2008 - 5:15pm
An IOSA certificate recognizes the operation, maintenance, safety management, training and finance management of international standard airlines.
Well but I would like to know one thing: why the validity of this certificate is only for 3 months? and just one month before the European Commission meeting
Registration Expiry
Monday, September 08, 2008
Registration Comments:
No comments.
All information is contained in the IOSA Audit Report.
http://www.iata.org/ps/certification/iosa/operator?c=GIA
Andreas E. (not verified) — Fri, 08/01/2008 - 2:13pm
I´m also surprised that Garuda is still on the blacklist, because I always feel save on board. Also the service on board is much nicer than for example the german Lufthansa ( and I´m a german citizen! ). So I hope the EU will lift the ban soon! Hopefully then there will be flights from Europe to Indonesia with Garuda again!!
Andreas
Kevin poster (not verified) — Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:49pm
i second that.....indonesians don't know details if a list was provided to them to check off!!!!
Desmier de Chenon (not verified) — Thu, 07/31/2008 - 7:59am
I would like to know one thing..... the validity of the GARUDA IOSA certificate 3 months only? and just before the last safety committee.... strange not ?
World Traveller (not verified) — Sat, 07/26/2008 - 2:40pm
Garuda IS Indonesia’s national airline. What an indictment to have your national carrier banned from EU airspace on not one but two occasions. Safety is paramount. It is totally inconceivable that the countries flagship cannot meet safety standards that should be easily achievable for any airline operation in all but a few third world countries. Why is this so? Simple, safety costs money and requires professional management that is top driven and customer focused, can Garuda do this and the government provide resources to manage safety? Obviously not. The president refuses to fly to Europe unless he fly's Garuda, maybe in reality he doesn’t want to fly his national carrier and by having the ban in place has the perfect excuse not to use them, very clever!
Gaby (not verified) — Sat, 07/26/2008 - 11:54am
European countries are used to working in a preventive way, trying to make sure that things do not happen. Indonesia hardly does anything preventive, they do things their way until something goes and even then do not much to improve the situation.
The airline ban is seen as something personal but it is not. Indonesia, especially Garuda, should be concerned with safety for their customers safety's sake instead of feeling forced to make changes because in this case, Europe has banned their flights.
Garuda should stop being the airline who thinks he he bullied by others and start working on being a better airline.
Abu bakrie (not verified) — Sat, 07/26/2008 - 6:52am
Rather than only fulfilling 60% of the requirements and pushing people to approve, better to reach 80-90% or 100% of the target and let them see and approve. It is more respectable effort!
Commonsense (not verified) — Sun, 07/20/2008 - 8:14am
unless going to Singapore, i never use Garuda for overseas trip. in my personal opinion, this airlines has kind and warm to the passanger, compare to other regional airlines. this is Indonesia's kindness. But for local travel, i am using 100% garuda when available. I use other airlines when i go to Europe/America/Middle East, the reason is most airlines use Boeing 777 or Airbus 320 or even airbus A380, feel more safe, entertaining, and comfort.
Garuda shall have a pride for not to be overtake by Lion air, which now using 737-900NG.Garuda itself using 733-800. i have experinced on travel with 737 800 of Garuda, (is it used ones?).
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".