As mentioned in my previous post, Visit Indonesia Year program is happening this year. So many skepticisms, doubts, and concerns are twirling around this program. Which understandable, I think, considering a series of unfortunate events (outside the political/religious issue) that were effecting Indonesia. One of those unfortunate events is the undependability of Indonesian airlines. Remember when an Adam Air jet plunged into the sea off Sulawesi island on January 1, 2007? Killed 102 on board. Also a Garuda jet crashed in Central Java in March of the same year with 21 dead. Which exactly why the European Union (EU) had to ban all Indonesian airlines, including national carrier Garuda Indonesia (since 2006, if I’m not mistaken). This is not good for VIY program (or Indonesia’s tourism industry in general), if Garuda can’t come in or out to the European countries.
Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said that Indonesia will try to accelerate the revocation of the ban by proposing a ‘fast-track programme’. That’s why just recently, during the Singapore Airshow, Garuda Indonesia (state-owned) purchased 10 Boeing 777-300ERs airplanes worth 2.3 billion dollars; while low-cost airline Lion Air acquired 56 Boeing 737-900ERs worth about 4.4 billion dollars. Garuda president director, Emirsyah Satar, said that following the order, Garuda was planning to open new routes to European and U.S. cities, beside being an attempt a push to lift the ban.
While it’s not bad to dream big by aiming the international flights, I personally think our Transport Minister should take care the domestic ones too. To satisfy local customers is as important as pleasing the international ones. Adam Air’s crash opened the year of 2007 with a bang, a Mandala Airlines crashed after take off on Sumatra island in 2005 (143 fatality), a Garuda Airbus crashed into a jungle-covered mountain slope in Sumatra and killed all 234 people aboard. Two months later, a Silk Air jet crashed into a river on Sumatra (104 fatality) —source.
And please, other than buying new(er) prototype of the airplanes, make sure the other elements in ensuring global aviation safety and prevention of accidents are maintained. Be it frequent maintenance for the airplane, worker’s training, or maintaining the safety of the runway. I, too, want to feel safe flying within Indonesia -as a local, an Indonesian- just like a foreign tourist. Don’t we have the same right?
Pretty much, US airlines fly some really old planes. But the maintenance standards for those planes are really high.
But as much money as they are putting into new planes, they should also put into airports and maintenance.
Speaking of the Guruda crash at the Jogja airport, I had flown out of that airport 6 weeks before the accident.
Saya pesimis mba sama VIY 2008. Ga usah masalah transportasi gitu, kebanyakan daerah di Indo juga ga siap. Di Malang aja tuh ga kedengeran sama sekali VIY 2008.
Radio tempat saya kerja punya inisiatif buat bahas program VIY di Malang, denger opini dari pendengar… tapi pihak Dinas Pariwisatanya di konfirm buat talkshow pun susah.
Mudah2an bule2 yg baca komen di blog ini ga ada yg bisa bhs. indonesia, hehe… Kalo org indo mah sama2 tau kan…
Totally agree with you.
Although a foreigner, I’ve been on these domestic flights quite a number of times also. And I have to grant the airlines that they have provided me with some unbelievable, hilarious stories – which I can tell because we luckily survived their airborne gambles.
Yeap, to my non expertise opinion, the main problem is maintenance indeed. And training may also be sloppy here and there; not all aircraft crews always seemed to behave as disciplined and professionally as one might expect.
On the other hand: where else can you, as a passenger, watch the captain and the co-pilot both reading papers in the cockpit, while sitting in a chair which slides back and forth with ever movement of the plan..?
Yup, couldn’t agree more than you. We lack of maintenance and that is the reason why I always fly with Garuda, for my business trip.
I once flew with other Indonesian airlines, the chair and again, the cleanliness, was awfull.
After that day, I promise myself to check Garuda linehaul 1st before going to several cities in Indonesia.
BTW, the last paragraph, hm … that’s only happen in ..hehehe…you know ..
Warning : This comment has nothing to do with the entry 😀
Hoiii Din,
Lagi bengek nih. Batuk, idung meler, tenggorokan gatel. Kalah juga akhirnya ngelawan winternya Minnesotah. Kalo ada Emak gue udah dikerokin dah. Emak oh Emak…
maybe that is why some of us need religion so badly, so that they can hope pray will ensure the safety of the flight. gosh. or maybe because the airline management have a belief that the Great Power love them so much?
heard a conversation like this:
“i was so scared to get to the plane, but then I saw Mr. X, the religion leader. after that I feel so secure, God must listen to him, no?”
and I was screaming (in my mind, unfortunately)
@Dan: ‘Standardization’, that’s the ‘it’ factor, isn’t it?
@ichi: Yah sayang banget… 😦
@colson: I’m laughing out loud… so you ought to tell us some of those stories
@tere616: Garuda jaminan mutu yah ‘ta?
@vita: Aww… get better soon, girl!
@melly: He he he, no comment ah… But I can picture you, rolling your eyes, hearing that conversation.