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GARUDA PASSES KEY SAFETY AUDIT
Jakarta, 2 June 2008
Flag carrier Garuda has passed an international safety audit which should help it shake off a ban from European Union airspace, the company president said Thursday, Agence France-Presse reported.
Emirsyah Satar said the airline been declared fit to fly in an Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). "Garuda Indonesia has now formally become an IOSA operator," Satar said.
Meanwhile, Dow Jones reported that Garuda managed to book a 20% on year increase in first quarter revenue.
Garuda is targeting a doubling of its net profit this year to Rp589 billion ($63 million) despite skyrocketing fuel prices.
"This year will be quite challenging, but we must double our net profit," Satar said, adding that the company will continue to partly pass on rising fuel costs to passengers and improve operational efficiency to help mitigate the impact of fuel prices on its bottom-line.
The booked Rp258 billion in net profit in 2007 following restructuring of its routes, which resulted in a higher number of passengers and a higher yield per passenger.
The company also took measures to boost its operational efficiency, such as improving airplane utilization.
Source: The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs |
