JAPANESE MEDIA ASK ABOUT RI FLIGHT SAFETY

Tokyo, Sept 20 (ANTARA) - Japanese media paid serious attention to the security and flight safety issue in Indonesia during a 3-day event to promote the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program attended by Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik here this week.
The security and flight safety issue was raised by Japanese journalists during a press conference with the minister here on Saturday.
On the occasion, the minister when answering the questions explained various matters such as flight safety, security, Japanese tourist arrival target and ticket prices of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.
The minister said Indonesia was now trying to increase flight safety and improve security so that it was now conducive for boosting Indonesia's tourism.
"Indonesia's domestic flights are being handled well and the Indonesian government is seriously enforcing flight safety regulations as required by the International Civil Aviation Authorities," he said.
He said the Indonesian government was also encouraging its domestic airlines to regenerate their fleets in an effort to reduce the risk of flight accidents.
On security matters, the minister said that security in Indonesia was now better. So, he said, Japanese media reporters should not be afraid to come to Indonesia.
He invited Japanese media to come to Indonesia to see conditions in the country for themselves.
In the meantime, Garuda Senior General Manager Faik Fahmi said Garuda had obtained a number of national and international certificates such as from IATA and FAA on flight safety.