EU bans all Indonesian carriers

The Indonesian airline industry was dealt a blow by the European Commission, which reportedly has banned all 51 registered Indonesian carriers from operating into the EU.

While no Indonesian airlines currently fly to EU member states, an EU spokesperson warned that "European citizens should avoid flying with these carriers. They are really unsafe," in a statement cited by The Times of London.

The move follows the Indonesian government's decision to revoke the operating certificates of nine airlines that failed to improve safety standards after a series of accidents earlier this year (ATWOnline, March 27). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation found that none of the country's 20 major carriers met international safety standards, including eight that were given three months to rectify significant shortfalls or facing grounding.

In April, US FAA lowered Indonesia's safety rating to Category 2 while the State Dept. criticized the DG's review (ATWOnline, April 18).

Indonesia's ambassador to the EU, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, reportedly claimed that "Indonesian airlines are safe" and said he hoped the EU would review its decision at an October meeting. A number of carriers, including Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Mandala Airlines and Indonesia Air Asia, recently have placed significant orders for 737NGs and A320s to replace aging fleets.