Extra flights to Bali

I would like to congratulate Garuda Airlines for putting on the extra capacity to Bali during this peak period that occurs every year at the end of Ramadhan, when people like to celebrate Idul Fitri either by visiting the homes of their relatives or just taking a vacation. As this holiday happens every year, Garuda has extensive knowledge of the increased demand and has taken steps to satisfy its loyal customers.

If only I did not have to have my tongue in my cheek when I offer these "congratulations" to Garuda! My wife would have liked to have flown out to Perth using her Garuda return ticket on any day from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6 but all flights on the Jakarta to Bali route were full.

She did earlier have a confirmed booking on the 5th but as is my wife's prerogative, she changed it to the 1st but then wanted to go on the 5th again. Although confirmed on the 5th for the Bali-Perth leg, she was advised that there was a waiting list of over 400 people for the Jakarta to Bali leg. So she flew out on the 1st.

I suppose we could be sympathetic to the management of Garuda as they might have a problem that their staff want to have their holidays and go away at this time as well. But are there not other airlines here in Indonesia and around the world who would love to soak up that well known extra capacity that Garuda does not want to service?

Bali of course would have loved the extra people visiting its shores as the tragic bombing begins to move into history. As is observed here in Indonesia, the difference between planning and action is too huge unless there is some easy private gain to be had, and serving the public is not easy.

I sympathize with the many potential customers of Garuda on those forlorn waiting lists, and can only suggest to book earlier next time and not hold your breath for any imaginative response by the Garuda management or rapid relief from the open skies policy.

DIRK HOS, Jakarta