You are to some extent correct with that observation. GA and QG probably have slightly better systems in place, but they still have some of the same cultural issues as the other aviation organisations:
- selection is not always based on merit, it may be based on connections and money.
- the idea of saving face means that students don’t fail and instructors don’t have to do retraining (because they instructed flawlessly first time…). Is that because the student is proficient, or because they’re given the answers before a test/sim? I’ll leave you to ponder that.
- massive coughpit gradients exist.
- the maintenance and air traffic systems face many of the same issues.
What those two airlines have as an advantage over the Lion group (Lion, Batik, Super Air Jet, Wings), is they didn’t expand rapidly over the past ten years. That expansion created challenges such as lesser levels of experience amongst all parts of the company (not just the drivers up front…). However, it’s not all smooth sailing as GA has faced serious funding questions and has made significant changes to its operations.
Now, I’ve flown Lion, Super Air Jet and Citilink many times over the past few years. The number of landings equalled the number of takeoffs, so who am I to complain. Didn’t feel particularly happy whilst on board, but as with aviation in general, the odds are still in your favour.
TLDR: aviation in Indonesia is not as safe as Australia, for many reasons.
Agree about GA. They've cleaned up their act.
@Daver6: have they really? Or have they just been more lucky recently? Did you really mean they ‘appear’ to have cleaned up their act? I can’t say one way or t’other, but plenty of structural and cultural challenges likely still exist.
Noiceeee 
