Flight ban won`t affect palcement of Indonesian workers in S ArabiaJakarta (ANTARA News)

Jul 18-2007

Indonesian workers placement program in Saudi Arabia would not be significantly affected by the banning of Indonesian flag carrier Garuda from flying to that country.

Former chairman of the Indonesian Manpower Supplier Agencies (Apjati), Saleh Alwaini, said here on Wednesday that most of the Indonesian manpower supplier firms (PJTKI) had so far used other airline companies than Garuda Indonesia."PJTKIs have so far used about ten airlines. So, if it is true that there is a ban, it would not affect the Indonesian workers placement program in Saudi Arabia," Alwaini said.He said that the ten airlines included Saudia, Philippine Air, Emirates, Yamania, Etiha Airways and Qatar Airlines.

Transportation Minister Jasman Syafii Djamal denied on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia had banned Indonesian airlines from flying its air space.

He said Saudi Arabia had instead expressed willingness to meet Indonesian civil aviation authorities about the EU`s prohibition."They have only sent a letter to the air transportation directorate general saying Saudi Arabia`s Civil Aviation Authority is willing to meet with its counterpart, the Indonesian civil aviation authority," the minister said.

He said Saudi Arabia wanted to know in detail the reason for the EU`s decision to bar Indonesian airlines from flying to the 27-nation block.

Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni has threatened not to send Indonesian hajj pilgrims if Saudi Arabia banned Indonesian flights.He said if Saudi Arabia followed the example of the European Union (EU) in banning Indonesian airlines from flying to the region for safety concerns, the Indonesian government would not send hajj pilgrims to the Holy Land this year.
The religious minister however warmly welcomed the Saudi Arabian government`s request to be informed in detail about the airworthiness of Indonesian airlines.