Garuda Indonesia Jakarta-Melbourne Flight Returns to Base Over Hydraulics Issue

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Garuda Indonesia flight numbered GA716 bound for Melbourne from Jakarta returned to base (RTB - Return to Base) on Saturday, January 6. The Executive Director of Garuda Indonesia Irfan Setiaputra said the Airbus A330-300 airplane departed on time from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at precisely 07:00 p.m. local time and was scheduled to arrive at Melbourne International Airport at 05:30 a.m. local time.

"However, a few hours in, the Pilot in Command saw the cockpit indicator showing the plane hydraulics status requires further check and maintenance," said Irfan in a written statement this morning, Thursday, January 11.

Considering safety aspects, the pilot proceeded to coordinate with the operation control center (OCC) and decided to return to Soekarno-Hatta Airport in good and normal condition. 

Upon landing back in Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Irfan said, officers immediately inspected the plane's conditions. According to Irfan, the Garuda airplane returned to base on Sunday, January 7, at around 00:25 a.m. local time.

"The return to Soekarno-Hatta Airport considering the ease to procure spare parts and the readiness of any replacement plane," he said.

The GA716 flight resumed with an A330-900 plane on Sunday at 02:45 a.m. local time. The Melbourne-bound flight arrived at its destination at 01:10 p.m. local time.

Concerning the delay, Irfan ensured that Garuda Indonesia has provided the passengers with the appropriate service recovery. Garuda Indonesia extended its regret over the accident and vowed to further evaluate Garuda's commitment to safety measures.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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