Garuda Indonesia Airlines is Indonesia's largest state-owned airline. It has suffered many major setbacks due to a track record of numerous plane crashes and poor adherence to safety regulations. As of 2010, Garuda Airlines is poised for a comeback as its safety ban has recently been lifted and passengers are beginning to return.
Garuda Indonesia first began flight service in 1949 with one aircraft. By 1953, the fleet had grown to 46 aircraft. Garuda began passenger service to Bali in 1951 using Douglas Dakota DC-3 airplanes. According to the airline's website, Garuda Indonesia was instrumental in putting the island of Bali on the "tourist map"--the island has become a highly sought-after tourist destination. From 1970 through 1980, Garuda Indonesia owned the "largest fleet Fokker Fellowship F-28 twinjets in the world." The airline reports that in 2011 it will "take delivery of the first of 10 Boeing B777-300 ER aircraft, which can fly 365 passengers 14,685 kilometers nonstop."
Garuda Indonesia Airlines has suffered numerous airline accidents since 1970. Nine fatal accidents have been reported in three decades. In 1974 and 1975, 49 passengers (combined) were killed in two botched landing attempts; in 1982 a plane hit mountainous terrain killing 57 people; in 1982, 22 people died in another botched landing attempt; 57 passengers were killed upon take-off in 1983; another botched landing attempt killed 23 people in 1987; in 1996 an aborted takeoff killed three people; in 1997 a plane hit mountainous terrain killing 222 passengers; and in 2007, a plane overran the runway killing 133 passengers.
In 2007, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lowered Indonesia's airline-oversight rating to Category 2 after two fatal plane crashes that year, one involving Garuda Indonesia Airlines. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, told reporters that a Category 2 rating "indicates that the FAA has assessed the government of Indonesia's Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation-safety standards for the oversight of Indonesia's air-carrier operations," according to an article from "Asia-Pacific News."
According to Garuda Indonesia's website, the airline takes very seriously its chance to improve its safety standards, and aims to represent the country of Indonesia by offering stellar service and exemplary travel accommodations from this point forward. A statement from its website reads, "Garuda Indonesia is determined to improve its quality in all aspects of the company's activities. ... it is our sincere hope that Garuda Indonesia will remain a source of great national pride for Indonesia, and that we will continue to be one of Asia's most respected airlines."
Tom Wright, of "The Wall Street Journal," reports that after much struggle to comply with safety regulations, Garuda Indonesia has finally been approved to start commercial flight transportation to Europe (beginning in the first half of 2010). The European Union finally lifted a two-year ban on certain Indonesian air carriers after the country made significant attempts to improve its safety standards. The CEO of Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar, reported that Garuda would begin by flying to Amsterdam, and would then look at other European destinations later in the year.
