The Managing Director Of Garuda Gets A Message To Jokowi Through Fadjroel: Make Business Trips Frequently

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic has battered the performance of the state-owned airline, PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. In fact, income has decreased by up to 90 percent due to the lack of passengers.

President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Irfaniaputra said that various rescue steps have been taken so that Garuda Indonesia can survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, Irfan did not hesitate to ask the spokesperson for President Fadjroel Rachman to persuade President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to make an official trip using Garuda Indonesia.

"Mr. Fadjroel is the spokesman for the President, please Mr. Fadjroel to tell the President to go on an official trip, to Bali, Lombok, or something like that," said Irfan jokingly, during a live Instagram with Fadjroel, Wednesday, July 29.

Not only to the President, Irfan also asked the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati and a number of Indonesian Cabinet Ministers to come forward to make official trips to a number of regions in Indonesia.

"Try to also tell the Minister of Finance and other ministries, so that it is for an official trip," he said.

Hearing this statement, Fadjroel also said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, President Jokowi conducted more activities and meetings online.

Even so, Fadjroel emphasized that he would continue to fly with Garuda Indonesia. This is because Garuda Indonesia is one of the airlines that strictly implements health protocols, in a new normal period.

"When my child was going home from Banjarmasin, I said just use Garuda. Because I believe that Garuda is already running 4M, using masks, keeping distance, staying away from crowds and washing hands. Garuda also cleans everything related to its passengers. So keep flying, safe COVID -19, "he said.

Previously, Irfaniaputra said that the number of passengers traveling by air was not optimal because there were still concerns in the community regarding the spread of the virus on the plane.

"There is a perception that a closed room is very unsafe on an airplane. In fact, the airplane cabin is much safer than the AC room in our homes and offices," he said, during a virtual discussion, Friday, July 24.

Irfan explained, even though passengers are in a closed room, there is a special mechanism to regulate air circulation. In the aircraft cabin, air rotation occurs vertically from top to bottom, not random.

Furthermore, Irfan explained, the air that falls down is immediately cleaned using a strong particle filter or called High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA). Then the air is heated so that any viruses or bacteria in the air die. Then the air is returned to flow after passing this stage.

According to Irfan, in theory, this air filter can clean the air up to 95 percent. Moreover, during this new normality, Garuda launched a 'Flying With Garudan Safe and Comfortable' campaign. So, cleanliness and safety are a priority.

"Apart from HEPA, I also convey that all parties guard the health protocol on board. Cabin crew and passengers, we ask to wear masks, clean themselves at all times," he said.

Irfan said that his party followed all the directions for the COVID-19 security protocol, one of which was to maintain distance. This is reflected in the vacant middle seats for economy class. As is known, in economy class flights, there are usually three seats on the plane, so that only the left and right sides are used.