Garuda Indonesia Conducts Fleet Disinsection To Prevent Corona Virus

Garuda Indonesia aircraft. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The national airline Garuda Indonesia is strengthening efforts to anticipate the spread of the corona virus by conducting a fleet disinsection (spraying special fluids). This was done to ensure the cleanliness of the aircraft cabin and sterilization against germs.

Garuda Indonesia Operations Director Capt Tumpal M Hutapea said, fleet inspection was carried out especially on fleets that previously served flights to and from China.

"These efforts are carried out in line with the increase in the corona virus epidemic in a number of countries. This commitment is made to strengthen efforts to anticipate the spread of the virus, especially in air transportation service lines, "he said in a statement received by VOI, Friday, February 14.

This, he continued, was a standard process for safety and cleanliness of Garuda Indonesia which was carried out in conditions of the spread of a disease epidemic.

The disinsection of the fleet is carried out by spraying disinfectant fluids in the aircraft cabin in accordance with the applicable procedures and regulations on safety aspects. The disinsection process is carried out to ensure the cleanliness and hygienic aspects of the aircraft cabin. The disinsection process is also carried out in the aircraft cargo area.

He explained that the Garuda Indonesia flight crew on the China route also carried out routine health check procedures at the Airport Port Health Office (KKP) before and after being on duty to ensure the health of the flight crew.

As for the GA 858 Denpasar-Shanghai route which was operated on January 28, 2020, Garuda Indonesia has also carried out a further inspection process in the form of disinsecting the aircraft cabin and replacing the filter of the High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) air filter.

"It is a standard feature of the fleet operated by Garuda Indonesia which functions to kill viruses and bacteria in the aircraft cabin. All Garuda Indonesia aircraft are currently equipped with the HEPA feature," he explained.

Airport authorities have also taken precautionary measures through profiling and checking all passengers who will carry out their flights at the airport.

"Garuda Indonesia ensures that all passengers to and from the Chinese route have gone through profiling procedures and health checks by the relevant authorities at the airport," said Capt. Tumpal.

Previously, in optimizing efforts to prevent the spread of the corona virus, Garuda Indonesia also recommended the use of cleaning support tools such as masks and hand sanitizers for passengers and flight crew traveling on routes to and from China.

As for February 5, 2020, Garuda Indonesia has temporarily suspended all flight services to and from China in line with Government policies related to the increase in the corona virus epidemic and the global emergency status set by WHO.