TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-air carrier Garuda Indonesia and its subsidiary Citilink has officially become the first national carriers operated by pilots and crew members who have been inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccines.

Garuda president director Irfan Setiaputra explained that this is the result of the accelerated implementation of the national vaccination program that had been conducted since late February this year.

This is in line with Garuda’s goal to provide customers and its entire workforce with maximum protection against the coronavirus. It is also one of the attempts to reignite the interest of the public to travel via air transportation.

“This is our commitment to provide a sense of security for Garuda Indonesia Group passengers served by pilots and cabin crews who are ‘fit to fly’ who have now all received the Covid-19 vaccine,” the president director wrote in a statement on May 18.

He added that amidst the uncertain situation, the government has helped the aviation industry by prioritizing workers in the public services field, especially the workforce of Garuda Indonesia and Citilink.

“We truly appreciate the steps the government has taken to prioritize the vaccinations for the aviation industry workers,” he added.

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