Limit number of airlines

Limit number of airlines

From Media Indonesia

On May 13, 2001 I flew to Bali onboard a Garuda DC 10, flight number 406. The plane took off at 2:40 p.m., 20 minutes behind schedule. I was surprised to find only 60 passengers onboard the 250-seat plane. I could not understand why there were only a few passengers. I have been to Bali four times and each time the DC 10 was about 75 percent full.

If Garuda carries only a few passengers on each flight, I'm afraid it will eventually go bankrupt because of the losses it must sustain. The government now allows new airlines to operate both in Jakarta and in other cities. I'm afraid that price competition may force economizing measures, for example, in services and maintenance. If this is the case, it is the passengers who will be jeopardized.

Before any uncalled for consequences brought about by this unfavorable condition occur, the government should limit the number of airlines. Otherwise, some planes will crash or some airlines will go bankrupt.

DR. F. PUDIYANTO S

E-mail: rsfabian@indosat.net.id