Garuda to install IT facilities in aircraft in 2011

Antara News, Thursday, June 17, 2010 04:21 WIB | Economic & Business

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Garuda Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday that it would equip its aircraft with in-flight information technology facilities in 2011 to improve its service to passengers.

"We will do it next year. Passengers can then communicate through an internet service and also send short text messages," its president director, Emirsyah Satar, said after signing a memorandum of understanding on T-Cash ticket payment with Telkomsel here on Wednesday.

He said all new Garuda planes would be equipped with mobile technology and later all Garuda planes will also be given the capability.

He said the technology will allow passengers to communicate using the short text message service (SMS) and operate laptops on board aircraft.

"The technology has been developed abroad and does not disrupt the air navigation system. It will not include phone calls," he said.

Regarding the regulation put in Law Number 1 of 2009 that bans passengers from using telecommunication facilities while aboard a plane, Emirsyah said he would discuss the matter with the government.

"Later we will discuss it with the ministry of transportation," he said.

On the cooperation with Telkomsel he said that it would make it easier for would-be passengers to buy ickets or make Garuda seat reservations by phone.

"Telkomsel customers totalling 86 millions will benefit from the cooperation," he said.

Telkomsel president director Sarwoto Atmosutarno said he would exploit T-Cash facility to make it easier for Telkomsel customers to buy Garuda tickets.

T-Cash is one of the facilities Telkomsel is developing along with mobile payment and mobile advertising, he said.

Regarding the House of Representatives` (DPR) wish for reduction in the hajj flight cost, Emirsyah said Garuda would accept whatever the government and the DPR would decide.

He said although it might reduce the company`s margin, service to hajj passengers would not decline.

"We will give the best possible service to them. What is important is the flight is smooth and Garuda does not lose," he said.

He said the hajj flight cost was determined by the world fuel price.

"If the contract with the religious affairs ministry has been signed and at the time the hajj pilgrimage season begins, the fuel price rises, that will be our risk," he said.