Saudi Ends Entry Ban; GMF Ensures Garuda Indonesia Planes Ready to Fly

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Director of aircraft maintenance company PT Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) Aero Asia, Andi Fahrurrozi, said wide-body aircraft belonging to Garuda Indonesia that serves international routes are ready to fly. The planes undergoing maintenance in the hangar can operate at any time once foreign country authorities open their international borders, such as Saudi Arabia.

“We continue to carry out maintenance service on Garuda planes, particularly wide-body ones for overseas flights. When the border is open, the plane is ready to fly,” said Andi on Friday, August 27.

GMF carries out maintenance on Garuda’s jumbo jets, namely Airbus 330-200 and Boeing 777-300 ER. As of 2020, the flag carrier reportedly has ten Boeing 777-300 ER and seven Airbus A330-200.

Despite the plane’s readiness, Andi confirmed the policy to determine which fleet to operate is the airline’s authority. Besides, GMF would coordinate with the lessors to ensure the aircraft’s status. 

Saudi Arabia announced the opening of its borders for expatriates from 20 countries, including Indonesia. Other foreign nationals allowed to enter are those from the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Japan.

Read: Saudi Arabia Lifts Entry Bans for Indonesians, Other Foreign Nationals

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA