TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Boeing invited all airlines operating its 737 Max 8 aircraft to attend the technical update regarding the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) Software Enhancement in Singapore on April 12, 2019. However, Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia refused to be present.

Garuda Indonesia president director IGN Askhara Danadiputra confirmed that Boeing has invited his corporate to the event as one of Asia's airliners using Max 8.

"But we will not send our representative as we have to maintain passengers' trust and respect relatives of the Lion Air JT 610 crash victims," said Ashkara as quoted from Bisnis.com on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

Ashkara explained that Garuda passengers and Indonesians in general, had lost trust in Boeing 737 Max 8 in the wake of two consecutive crashes of the aircraft within less than six months.

Garuda assured it would maintain trust in Boeing as an airplane manufacturer, not its Max 8 fleets.

Garuda Indonesia technical director I Wayan Susena said that his corporate has prepared a special measure to respond to Boeing's lagging in updating its aircraft software.

"The target is set in April. So we're waiting while carrying out maintenance," said Wayan when met at his office in Soekarno-Hatta Airport complex, Tangerang, on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

The maintenance was taken to prevent damages on the aircraft's engine and fuselage due to the grounding. In addition, Wayan said that Garuda Indonesia has prepared alternative aircraft for Boeing 737 Max 8.

BISNIS.COM | FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA