MANDALA SHOWCASES SINGAPORE PARTNERSHIP

Mandala Airlines and journalists from the Indonesian print media recently visited Singapore via Batam to visit the hangars of Singapore Airlines Engineering Company.

SIAEC is located in Singapore’s Changi International Airport, and the onsite Aircraft Maintenance Tour helped Mandala’s public relations team provide the media with an even clearer picture of Mandala’s commitment to adhering to international benchmarks in aviation safety. Mandala commenced its aircraft maintenance drive in mid-2007 and has since consistently attained international standards of safety.

As part of restructuring of the airline, the New Mandala’s mandate from its investors was to benchmark the airline’s safety against the world’s leading airlines. This meant investing heavily in a safety management system, including aircraft maintenance.

Mandala welcomes audits by its corporate partners before they approve Mandala as an approved airline. Successful audits have been conducted by TOTAL E&P Indonesie, which audited Mandala over two days in Jakarta and went on a one-day visit to SIAEC in Singapore. SIAEC was chosen by Mandala to maintain its single-fleet of Airbuses, in order to demonstrate Mandala’s integrity in areas of safety.

The Indonesian press in attendance on the trip included journalists from the Jakarta Globe, Detik.com, Kompas.com, Angkasa magazine, SWA Magazine, Antara (Indonesia newswire), Persda (Kompas network), Kedaulatan Rakyat, Bisnis Indonesia, Investor Daily, Media Indonesia and Republika. After visiting the hangar of SIA Engineering Company, the Indonesian press welcomed by the management of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport.

Mandala and the Indonesian journalists experienced the hospitality of the hotel, with director of sales and marketing, Bryan Gabriel, showcasing the US$60 million (719 billion rupiah) property, the first international upscale hotel with direct access to Changi Airport. The journalists were treated to the 540sqm swimming pool, designed around landscaped, mini-islands and jacuzzi corners. Guest relations and club lounge manager, Isadora Tirtowalujo, gave the group a tour of the hotel, which was designed by award-winning WOHA Designs.

At night, Mandala and the press were invited Airbus’ head of regional communications in Asia, Sean Lee, for a lavish meal at the hotel. During this, the writers discussed Mandala’s choice to operate an all-Airbus fleet, a first for Indonesia. Mandala’s head of corporate communications, Trisia Megawati, explained Mandala had chosen Airbus due to its record of fuel efficiency and concern for the environment.

The next day, the group was invited by Citytours for an adventure on board the Captain Explorer Amphibious Boat. Citytour’s assistant manager, Resemini Bte Famin, and sales supervisor, Zali Hisha, assisted the group as the vehicles splashed from the land to the water. The excursion provided an exciting end to an informative and valuable media exchange.