Garuda Indonesia was presented with the Skytrax “5-star Airline” award following an audit, which determined the airline to be one of the best in the world.
Skytrax chief executive Edward Plaisted presented the award to Garuda Indonesia president and chief executive Arif Wibowo last week. Also attending the ceremony was the Minister of Communication of the Republic of Indonesia, Ignasius Jonan, at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta.
Garuda says the recognition is a testament of the many improvements consistently carried out by the company over the years that eventually led to its transformation from a little known entity into one of the best airlines with a top-tier 5-star ranking.
Of the 200 and more airlines in the world today, only seven are named a 5-star airline, namely Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Qatar Airways, Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Hainan Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.
Indonesian Minister of Transportation, Ignasius Jonan said that becoming a 5-star airline is an impressive achievement that not only improves the airline’s reputation but also that of Indonesia in the eyes of the world.
Mr Plaisted explained that the 5-star airline rating is a firm recognition of Garuda Indonesia’s ongoing transformation in terms of the standard and quality of its services.
“This achievement reflects the hard work by the airline in recent years and we are delighted to confirm that they have met the standards of a 5-star airline.”
Edward Plaisted, Skytrax chief executive
Mr Wibowo said this achievement marks another important milestone for Garuda Indonesia as it is testament of the world’s recognition of Garuda Indonesia’s ongoing transformation program and improvements.
“We shall remain committed to improve even better and hold our 5-star airline title, and of course to always provide service of the highest quality to all Garuda Indonesia customers.”
Arif Wibowo, Garuda Indonesia president and chief executive
An airline’s rating is based on an overall evaluation of Garuda’s products and services, both in its ground service at the airport and the delivery quality of inflight service onboard Garuda’s flights.
Becoming a 5-star airline ultimately affects Garuda Indonesia’s improvement plans for 2015, such as moving operations to Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which is the airline’s home-base hub.
The new location will offer Garuda Indonesia passengers a more pleasant travel experience and facilitate other SkyTeam airline members through enhanced integrated transfers and airport services, together with improved and expanded premium facilities.