Loud! Garuda Indonesia Bans Pilots And Cabin Crews Who Reject COVID-19 Vaccination

JAKARTA – PT Garuda Indonesia Tbk. reportedly did not give flight permits to cabin crew who refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This was conveyed directly by the President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra.

According to him, the decision is in line with the company's decision to implement strict health protocols in every flight operation. Copy that, this effort also helps the company to build public trust after the depressed financial condition due to the pandemic.

"For cabin crew and pilots who refuse to be vaccinated, they are not allowed to fly," he said in a press statement, Wednesday, June 2.

Irfan also revealed that the cabin crew who participated in the vaccination process had completed a two-stage process in May 2021 since it was started simultaneously in February.

"The vaccine is given to cabin crew and active pilots who are on duty and meet the requirements," he said.

To note, the national airline codenamed GIA is currently experiencing financial difficulties with an estimated value of IDR 70 trillion.

Garuda itself has now opened a voluntary early retirement offer to its employees starting effective July 1, 2021. However, since May 19, the management of Garuda Indonesia has opened registration for employees who are willing to participate in the program early.

Citing the company's financial report released until the third quarter of 2020, it was stated that Garuda Indonesia and all of its subsidiaries have a total of 15,368 employees. This number is known to have shrunk compared to the end of 2019 which recorded 15,623 employees.

It was also mentioned that the COVID-19 pandemic that had occurred since the beginning of 2020 had a very large impact and became the worst year in the history of the airline business.