Airline takes 'first step to ease worries about flying in Indonesia'

The Straits Times, May 1, 2007


JAKARTA - INDONESIAN Vice-President Jusuf Kalla yesterday hailed the first in a fleet of new aircraft for a low-cost carrier as a 'first step' to easing concerns over the country's embattled aviation sector.

He was speaking during a ceremony at Jakarta's airport as the Lion Air budget airline took delivery of a 737-900ER plane, the first one of 60 ordered from Boeing.

Mr Jusuf acknowledged that Indonesia's aviation industry has drawn 'a lot of criticism and cynicism' in the wake of deadly accidents in recent months.

'Therefore, this day is the first step towards answering the worries of people and the criticism of many parties about the safety of flying in Indonesia,' he said at the ceremony before taking a ride in the plane.

Lion Air placed an order for 30 Boeing 737-900ER single-aisle passenger planes in 2005 and increased its order by 30 last year.

The 2006 deal for the 30 737-900ERs cost Lion Air, the launch customer for the model, US$2.2 billion (S$3.34 billion). All 60 planes are to be delivered by 2012.

Indonesia has seen a series of deadly accidents, as well as minor ones, in recent months.

An Adam Air plane crashed into the ocean on New Year's Day, killing all 102 people aboard.

The accident prompted an audit of all commercial airliners and air charter firms, and it was discovered that none had implemented all minimum safety requirements.

A plane operated by national carrier Garuda burst into flames after landing at Yogyakarta's airport in central Java in March, killing 21 people. Several other planes have crash-landed or had to abort take-offs or landings because of technical problems.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE