Garuda Will Allow Onboard Photography After Ban Went Viral
Jakarta. National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will allow passengers to take photos on board its aircraft, but only if it does not interfere with other passengers' comfort and safety.
"Passengers may take photos, such as selfies, on the plane, as long as they observe and not disturb other passengers' comfort and privacy," M. Ikhsan Rosan, Garuda Indonesia vice president and corporate secretary, said in a statement on Wednesday.
The airline issued the statement to correct misinformation about its ban on onboard photography that went viral on Tuesday.
In apparent attempts to poke fun at Garuda, several companies, including ride-hailing service Grab Indonesia and Gramedia bookstore, made announcements on social media about customers being allowed to take photos on their business premises.
Ikhsan said Garuda took the original decision after considering inputs and complaints by passengers and cabin attendants.
"The regulation was not intended to limit passengers from taking photos on the plane," he said, adding that several global airlines commonly enforce rules on onboard photography to ensure the comfort and privacy of passengers and to maintain safety standards.
The regulation that went viral states that passengers and cabin attendants are not allowed to take photos while on board aircraft.
"Following up an order by management, we inform all cabin crews not to allow the documentation of any activities inside the plane, be it by photo or video by cabin attendants or passengers," the announcement said.
The prohibition also encourages crewmembers to use "assertive" language in disallowing passengers from taking photos, except when such activity is expressly permitted by the airline.
In the announcement, signed on July 14, Garuda said it would sanction anyone violating this rule.
"In response to the spread of the announcement prohibiting onboard photography, we state that this was an internal communication, which had not been finalized and which was not intended for public consumption," Ikhsan said.
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