The History of Indonesia Airline - Garuda
The Acehnese community, in 1948, donated Indonesia’s first two aircrafts to help Indonesia Independence.
On January 26,1949, Indonesia’s first aircraft went into service. It could not fly over Indonesia but was on charter to the Burmese Government; Indonesian Airways, as it was called, was an airline-in-exile and the country was fighting for independence. Few airlines have had a more dramatic birth.
When almost all modern Indonesian territories were being occupied by the Dutch troops at the first aggression, Aceh was the only unconquered region. This region became the financial capital resources for the republic's struggle. In addition to being financial capital region, the spirit of sacrificing their property for the struggle rose among the Acehnese people. This attitude was shown when President Soekarno and his parties visited this region on 15 June 1948.
In a mass meeting held in Blang Padang, Kutaraja (now Banda Aceh), the capital of Aceh region, he told the Acehnese people that although the territory was left just as large as an umbrella, it had to be defended to the of blood drop.
After the meeting, on 16 June there was a special dinner party meeting held for him at Atjeh Hotel. It was here came out the idea of buying a plane and requested that the Acehnese purchase a DC-3 aircraft to be used for independence struggle and to clear Indonesia from the Dutch blockade.
The request of president Soekarno was positively responded with enthusiasm. At that time T Mohd. Daoed Syah called for an immediate meeting with the social leaders and dignitaries present to listen to the elaboration of the idea by the president's parties. Considering that the price of DC-3 plane was $120,000 or equal to 25 kg of gold, the resident concluded that they were able to purchase such a plane. In order to implement the action, he formed a fund collector committee whose members consisted of Acehnese traders and businessmen associated with GASIDA (Association of Indonesian Aceh Traders).
The committee was headed by I Mohd Ali Panglima Polem as the chairman, H. H. Djoened Yusuf as the vice chairman and H, M. Zainoeddin as the secretary. After working hard for some time, the committee was able to collect $140,000. The transfer of the check took place on 20 June 1948 at Aceh State Mansion (Meuligo). The money was used for advanced payment of the plane and the balance would be settled some time later in August IM. Ali Panglima Polem received a telegram that the checks amounting $140,000 and $120,000 was received. That money was used for purchasing two DC-3 aircrafts which were then called RI-001 Seulawah Agam and RI-002 Seulawah Inong.
The two planes were then used for clearing the Dutch blockades to overcome economic difficulties. At first, the plane was flying over Sumatera and Java routes to carry the leaders of the republic and to do other government tasks. After that, it was used for flying over foreign routes up to Calcutta, India. Then it operated in Rangoon, Burma. Commercial operation began on 26 January 1949, since which the RI-OO 1 Seulawah Agam has been registered as the embryo of the Garuda Indonesian Airways. However, in one of the flights, the plane (RI 001) was shot down by the Dutch army while flying over Riau in a trip from Banda Aceh - Yogyakarta. While the RI-002 was shot down while flying over Rangoon.
At present, the DC-3 Replica of Seulawah Agam can still be seen at the Blang Padang
field, Banda Aceh.
Garuda Indonesia today
Garuda Indonesia is now one of the largest airlines south of the equator. Its international flights link Indonesia with dozens of major cities on five continents. Its extensive network of domestic routes links hundreds of far-flung communities throughout Indonesia.
Garuda Indonesia has always played a major role in the development of Indonesia. Every flight, international or domestic, serves as a valuable line of communication, helping to spur trade and commerce. Garuda Indonesia undertakes is the provision of annual pilgrimage flights for Indonesian Muslims to Mecca.