Garuda receives award

JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia received on Saturday the "Innovation Award" from Singapore-based magazine Travel Weekly East for its impressive turnaround through crisis management.

Garuda finance director Emirsyah Satar said that the award, which was given for the "international airlines category" reflected international appreciation of the airline's efforts in changing its poor image.

"We didn't know we've been watched by an international magazine ... it's an award for all Garuda employees," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Garuda on-time schedules increased to 89.3 percent in 2000 from 74 percent in 1998, while its load factor rose to 89.3 percent last year from 74 percent two years earlier.

The airline's yields also rocketed to US$6 last year from only 3.4 U.S. cents.

"We have also booked profit after suffering losses for seven years (since 1993)," Emirsyah said.

Aside from the award to Garuda, the magazine also gave various awards to Singapore-based airline Singapore Airlines, Hong Kong- based airline Cathay Pacific, Thailand-based Thai Airlines, and Australia-based airline Virgin Blue. (05)