On the Eve of Closure, Adam Air Gets a Reprieve

(4/6/2007)

As reported on balidiscovery.com [Adam Air to be Shut Down?], numerous Indonesian press reports suggested that the accident-ridden Indonesian low-cost-carrier was facing imminent shutdown by the Government in a promised improvement in safety standards for the Country's civil aviation sector.

A Temporary Reprieve

Averting the rumored imminent shutdown of Adam Air and other domestic carriers, the Indonesian Government has instead introduced a three-tiered safety rating system covering all domestic air passenger and air cargo providers.

Under the new system, three classifications levels are now in effect:

• Category 1 - For carriers completely satisfying all the safety requirements set forth in the National Civil Aviation Regulations (CASR). Based on recently performed audits of all air carriers, no Indonesian Airline has qualified for the top category.

• Category 2 - For carriers able to meet minimal safety requirements but with outstanding deficiencies in their safety standards as identified by government auditors. The following airlines were assigned Category 2 status by the Indonesian Department of Civil Aviation:

• Ekspress Transportasi Antarbenua • Garuda Indonesia • Indonesia AirAsia • Lion Mentari Airlines • Manadala Airlines • Merpati Nusantara Airlines • Pelita Air Services • Republic Express Airlines (Cargo) • Riau Airlines • Sriwijaya Air • Travel Express Aviation Service • Trigana Air Service • Wing Abadi Airlines

• Category 3 - For carriers able to meet minimal safety requirements but with outstanding safety deficiencies having the potential to affect safe operations. The following airlines were assigned Category 3 status by the Department of Civil Aviation:

• AdamSky Connection Airlines (Adam Air) • Jatayu Gelang Sejahtera • Kartika Airlines • Manunggal Air Service (Cargo) • Metro Batavia • Trans Wisata Air • Tri MG Intra Asia Airlines (Cargo)

Under the tougher rules on national air safety just introduced, airlines will undergo an audit process every three months. According to Aviation Sources, those companies classified in Category 3 and unable to pass the subsequent safety audit after 3 months will have their operating permits withdrawn by the Government.