Welfare concern: Airline bans passengers from taking videos, pictures on flight

Airline Garuda Indonesia is urging passengers not to take any pictures or videos onboard its flights.

The Indonesian national carrier circulated an internal memo banning the practice on 14 July, writing: “It is not permissible to document activities on the plane, either in the form of photos or videos, by the cabin crew or passengers.”

The letter was shared online and quickly went viral, according to Indonesian news site Kumparan.

However, the edict has since been softened, with a revised internal letter issued on 16 July stating that, rather than being “prohibited” from taking pictures onboard the aircraft, travellers are now being “urged” not to do so.

The original notice reportedly said that passengers could be “sanctioned” by the airline for breaking the rules; it is unclear whether this is still the case.

The amended statement was signed by the operational director of Garuda Indonesia, Captain Bambang Adisurya Angkasa, who said that the measures were part of the airline’s commitment to protecting the privacy of all passengers and crew.

“This appeal is based on reports, suggestions and input from passengers who feel uncomfortable and disturbed by shooting and documentation activities without prior permission from the concerned person,” says Angkasa, according to CNBC Indonesia.

He added that passengers would still be able to take snaps for personal use, such as selfies, as long as they were not disturbing the comfort of other travellers.

News source: The Independent