All 51 Indonesian airlines have now been officially banned from yesterday from flying to the European Union a week after EU safety experts declared they were unsafe, the European Commission confirmed.
The ban, which includes national flag carrier Garuda, which does not fly to Europe comes after a series of crashes in the Asian archipelago and follows the failure of Indonesian authorities to give adequate safety assurances, according to EU officials.
Although no Indonesian airlines fly regularly to and from the EU, the ban could have a big impact on passengers travelling in South-East Asia as the European summer holiday period gets underway as EU residents have been advised not to travel on these airlines.
Under European rules, passengers must be informed if an airline is on the list of banned carriers and can demand reimbursement or an alternative carrier for tickets bought in Europe for flights that do not enter EU skies.
The EU started its safety ban list in March 2006 after a string of deadly accidents that highlighted the fragmented approach to air safety in the then 25-nation bloc. It has since been updated four times.
Report by The Mole
