In Reply to: Very Bad News..... Brisbane ADL & AKL posted by Nicno on Monday, 5. March 2007 at 09:06 Bali Time:
Just after I closed Golden Bali & Global Travel in July 2006 and prior to leaving in August to reside full-time in Indonesia, I had a long meeting with Pak. Suranto (G.M Australia & Pacific for Garuda) who was reasonably confident, at that time, that once Garuda began receiving additional aircraft into their fleet (which right now is sadly diminished in numbers) - and in particular the Next Generation B-737-800's, the Australian market may see more services, commencing with re-instation of Direct Adelaide/Denpasar flights. He is one of the few Garuda administrators who thinks positively, but his hands are always tied by decisions from those in Jakarta who just look at the present financial situation and are incapable of looking long-term.
I feel so very sad for the Garuda personnel in Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland, who have lost their jobs with the closure of these Ports - particularly as, during my 20 Years with Golden Bali (the majority of which as Australia's top-producing Agency for Garuda Orient Holidays) many of the staff in Brisbane and Adelaide had become personal friends.
As such a strong advocate for both Bali - and Garuda Indonesia, I can only imagine just what you are feeling right now Nikki - also Karen, Nick and the "team" at Garuda Orient Holidays.
As I stand at the shores of my beautiful Lembeh Resort here in North Sulawesi and look across the tranquil waters of Lembeh Strait to the Port of Bitung just 15 minutes away, I realise just how lucky I am to have "escaped" the Aussie Travel Agency "rat-race" when I did. I could foresee problems on Garuda's horizons but never thought that such drastic action would have been taken in Australia, particularly as a quick recovery is almost certainly imminent.
Hopefully another carrier will realise the potential of the Australian Market to Bali and not only be prepared to "run with it" but ensure that there are sufficient promotional funds available to let Australians know that "Bali IS Back - and with a Vengeance"!!!
Warm wishes to you Nikki
LES