THE GOVERNOR

BANGKA BELITUNG’S GOVERNOR, IR. H EKO MAULANA ALI S.IP, S.AP, M.SC TALKS ABOUT MANDALA’S RECENT TRANSFORMATION, AND ITS ROLE AS A PARTNER IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT  

What do you think of the New Mandala?
The changes were enormous. I have especially witnessed the commitment of the new management team, which is really serious about applying the highest standards in safety. I know that Mandala has also reached the top category in terms of flight safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. In addition, many oil companies, including TOTAL E&P, perform audits before using Mandala’s services. This kind of transparency is rare within Indonesia’s aviation business.

I can see Mandala is very serious about its restructuring program. It has withdrawn its Boeing fleet and now operates only modern Airbuses. This takes a lot of investment, and the reform is truly beneficial for Mandala’s customers.

In what way is Mandala your partner in supporting your work?
I travel often to perform my official duties, as well as for other purposes. With the new Airbus planes now flying to and from Bangka Belitung, I can plan my commitments smoothly. I need an airline which is on schedule, and now I feel comfortable and safe flying with Mandala.

What are your expectations from the airline going forward?
I hope Mandala can maintain its achievement of staying on schedule. In my role, time is very valuable to me. The airline must remain committed to its international safety standards. I hope to see Mandala become a national airline capable of competing regionally in the free market, which is scheduled to commence in 2010. As for Bangka Belitung, I hope Mandala can partner with, and support programs by Pemda, our local provincial government – especially for the upcoming visit of Babel Archie, which is scheduled for 2010.  

THE BANK LEADER

IQBAL LATANRO, PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OF BANK BTN, DISCUSSES CURRENT SYNERGIES WITH MANDALA, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE FUTURE INNOVATIONS 

Tell us your perspective on what’s being described as the New Mandala? Mandala “looks different” compared with before. The new aircraft and the better service quality will help Mandala improve further. I hope that Mandala will uphold the commitment towards its customers by maintaining its service quality. It is a heavy task to obtain customer loyalty, but it can be done by making them feel assured and keeping their belief in Mandala.  

In what ways can Mandala help you through this current global crisis? Specific products with special prices will be beneficial for corporations, especially those whose employees travel frequently for business. But price is not the only factor in the decision. For us, safety and comfort are the top priorities.

What benefits does BTN Bank enjoy as a result of promotional activities with Mandala?
BTN Bank makes good use of every opportunity to grow and benefit from shared synergies. The cooperation with Mandala Airlines supports our own service improvement drive, including offering Mandala’s products to our top-tier customers. Our current cooperation is also open to improvements, including utilizing BTN ATM machines and BTN SMS Banking as payment options for airflight tickets.

This will benefit both parties because our ATMs are available across the country and connected to ATM Bersama and ATM Link networks. It’s also possible for BTN Bank to give various forms of credit for Mandala’s associates, especially credits that fit the core business of BTN Bank. In terms of financial products, Mandala’s associates can also benefit from BTN’s products, including Tabungan Batara (Batara Savings) and Tabungan Batara Prima (Batara Prima Savings) which compete with products from other banks.