Vivo Mobile Phones Get Banned From Cargo, Boss Of Garuda Indonesia: Only For The Time Being

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Photo: Doc. Between)

JAKARTA - President Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra confirmed the ban on mobile phones or Vivo mobile phones of all types to enter cargo. However, he insisted, the ban was temporary.

Furthermore, Irfan said, this step is a form of anticipation of the company in ensuring the aspects of flight safety and security continue to run optimally.

"We are currently temporarily suspending air cargo transportation services for certain types of smartphones, following the incident of burning cargo containers with smartphone cargo in Hong Kong some time ago", he told VOI editorial team in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 13.

According to Irfan, this policy is also taken by a number of world airlines. This policy will be carried out until there is the result of a thorough investigation from the Hong Kong airport authorities.

"At this time, we also continue to coordinate with the relevant authorities to ensure anticipatory measures need to be taken in response to the development of the findings", he said.

Earlier, a video circulated on social media showing a cargo pallet fire known to contain a Vivo Y20 phone. The fire broke out at Hong Kong Airport at the end of last week.

As a result of the incident, PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk prohibits the delivery of cargo for Vivo brand mobile phones for all types. This prohibition comes from a Cargo Information Notice (CIN) notification letter with the subject of the Vivo Mobile Phone Cargo Delivery Ban.

"We hereby convey the prohibition/embargo of the delivery of mobile phones of the brand through parallel air cargo pending the results of the investigation process by the Hong Kong airport authority (HKCAD)", the letter was quoted as saying Wednesday, April 14.

Not only prohibiting the delivery of mobile phones, but Garuda Indonesia Cargo also writes some provisions. First, mobile phones of all types of Vivo brands are prohibited to be received or transported by air cargo.

Second, spare parts, accessories, and casings (mobile phone cases without lithium batteries) can be received and transported by air cargo.

Third, Cargo Acceptance/AVSEC officer must ensure that every mobile phone delivery (mobile phone) to be sent there is no Vivo brand mobile phone (all types), as evidenced by the existing packing list and or random physical examination (random check)

Lastly, all units and cargo operational personnel to implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) consistently and monitored well in order to maintain safety and security aspects.

In the letter also explained that other regulations and procedures still refer to the provisions listed in the Cargo Handling Manual (CHM), Handling Information Notice (HIN), and Cargo Handling Information Notice (CIN) that are still valid.