Anticipating Flight Ban Cancellation, Indonesia Eyes Cooperation with the Netherlands
Tuesday, 30 June, 2009 | 14:08 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian and the Dutch government will discuss the preparation over cooperation implementation between the two countries related to possible flight ban cancellation by the European Union.

“It is the Director General for Air Transportation, Herry Bakti, who is visiting the Netherlands,” said Transportation Minister, Jusman Syafii Djamal, in Jakarta, Monday (29/6).

The meeting is also related to the plan of the national airline Garuda Indonesia to reopen the flight route to Amsterdam.

The flight ban is likely to be canceled after the EU technical team stated it was satisfied after holding an examination on June 15-18.

Various problems are considered to have been solved by the team.

Four Indonesian airlines offered by the Transportation Department followed the examination including Garuda Indonesia, Mandala Airlines, Premi Air, and Air Fast Indonesia

Jusman explained that the meeting was a form of government support to develop international routes by the national airlines.

“So Garuda can just implement what will be approved in the agreement,” he said.

Director for Air Transportation at Directorate General of Air Transportation, Tri Sunoko, also explained that the meeting was being held as Amsterdam has a potential market.

“The demand will be good if the route is reopened,” said Tri.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar, said that Garuda will fly to three cities in Europe when the flight ban is canceled, including Amsterdam.

“The other cities are London and Frankfurt,” said Emirsyah on June 24.

Emirsyah predicted the Amsterdam route can be reopened in early 2010.

It will need at least nine months to reopen the flight route.

WAHYUDIN FAHMI