Jakarta, Kartunet - As a world-class airline, Garuda Indonesia is obligated to provide the best service to all its customers, including persons with disabilities. Having previously faced lawsuits for discriminatory practices, the state-owned airline has now taken several concrete steps. Among the facilities provided by Garuda Indonesia and PT Angkasapura is the Wheelchair Transporter, a special vehicle for wheelchairs.
This equipment is specifically designed to help persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs to mobilize more easily during boarding. The vehicle can be used to transfer from the departure gate to the aircraft, or vice versa, from the aircraft to the arrival gate. However, this facility, currently only available at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, can only be used if the aircraft is parked in a remote area.
In international airports outside Indonesia, such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), this facility has long been available. Furthermore, at that airport, there is also a special waiting lounge for persons with disabilities, with facilities tailored to their needs. For instance, there are reclining chairs that wheelchair users, tired from sitting, can use to lie down and rest.
Previously, Garuda Indonesia also conducted sensitivity training for its employees to better understand the appropriate way to serve persons with disabilities. The seminar, organized by the Garuda Indonesia Training Center (GITC), featured Dr. Saharuddin Daming, SH, MH, former commissioner of Komnas HAM (National Commission on Human Rights), representatives from the “Beat Barrier Free Environment and Accessible Transportation” organization, and trainers from Garuda Indonesia.
The seminar discussed the rights, procedures, and obligations related to passengers with disabilities, as well as disseminating information about the airline's services for them. The training has been conducted in five cities: Jakarta, Makassar, Medan, Denpasar, and Surabaya. The goal is for Garuda's Frontliners to better understand the proper and correct way to serve passengers with disabilities.
Another form of Garuda Indonesia's support is the provision of a special assistant check-in counter. This dedicated counter will assist passengers with special needs, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. This form of support aims to enable Garuda Indonesia to optimally provide services for all its passengers, including persons with disabilities.
Hopefully, this positive initiative will also be adopted by other domestic airlines in Indonesia.(DPM) Source: TribunNews 8 October 2014