Garuda Indonesia Amends Ban on Inflight Photo, Video

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Garuda Indonesia management has revised its latest policy that bars passengers and crew from taking photos or video during flights.

Garuda’s Vice President Corporate Secretary M. Ikhsan Rosan said that the updated policy allows passengers to photograph themselves or activities in mid-air as long as they maintain convenience and privacy of other passengers.

"Passengers are allowed to take photos in the cabin, either in the form of selfie and other activities, as long as they respect and not disturb other passengers’ convenience and privacy," said Ikhsan in a written statement, Wednesday, July 17.

Therefore, Ikhsan expressed hope, information circulated in the public in light of the ban that went viral could be cleared up. Garuda also issued a circular that the regulation aimed at ensuring passengers’ convenience and privacy in general.

He explained the call had been long considered following input and complaints from passengers and aircrew without intention to limit passengers’ needs to take photographs. Such a regulation, he added, is common for global airlines to keep flight safety as well.

Garuda Indonesia previously urged passengers to refrain from taking photos or video during flights following a viral handwritten menu of the carrier's business-class on social media that caused an uproar on the internet. The picture was posted by a YouTube travel vlogger Rius Vernandes on his Instagram account. 

Recently, Rius and his fiancee Elwiyana Monica who accompanied him on the Sydney - Denpasar - Jakarta flight were reported to the police by Garuda Labor Union (Sekarga) on a charge of defamation through social media.

EKO WAHYUDI | RR ARIYANI