New Zealand wishes restoration of Garuda Indonesia`s presence

"We believe that Garuda is not only important as a flight carrier, but especially as a national flag carrier, as well as an effective means of promotion," chief spokesman at the Indonesian embassy in Wellington, First Secretary Tri Purnajaya told ANTARA on Thursday.

He said that actually when the Indonesian ambassador to New Zealand Amris Hassan started to assume his post in Wellington by the end of 2006, had did everything to maintain Garuda`s presence in that country.

"He had even written the Indonesian House of Representatives, the minister of transportation, the minister of foreign affairs and some other relevant circles in Indonesia reminding them of the importance of Garuda Indonesia in New Zealand," Tri said.

However, the Garuda management had decided otherwise. New Zealand`s airline companies also no longer fly to Singapore, but turned to China.

Since Garuda Indonesia stopped flying to Bali straight from New Zealand and Brisbane in 2007, New Zealanders were still interested in visiting Bali.

Proof of this urge was a story carried by The New Zealand Herald on April 2, 2008 on a deceit committed by a company involving at least 10 unaware people wishing to fly to Bali. The company offered a straight from New Zealand to Bali.

New Zealand police said ...