National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has temporarily suspended the entire cabin crew of Flight GA716 on the Jakarta–Melbourne route after a passenger reported the loss of his iPhone during the flight on Friday, June 6, 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 9, 2025, Garuda Indonesia’s Director of Commercial and Cargo, Ade R. Susardi, said the decision was made to ensure an unimpeded and transparent investigation.

“To support the investigation process, all crew members who were on duty during the GA716 flight have been relieved from flight duties temporarily,” Ade said.

The incident gained wide public attention after the passenger, identified as Michael Tjendara, posted a detailed account of the theft on his Instagram account.

He claimed that the “Find My iPhone” feature had traced the device to a location near the Southbank Promenade in Melbourne, including proximity to the Mercure Hotel, where Garuda crew members were reportedly staying.

According to the passenger, the phone’s signal was last tracked between 3:50 PM and 4:40 PM local time, eventually showing movement toward the Evan Walker Bridge before being allegedly discarded into a river.

Garuda Indonesia said it has sent a company representative to assist the passenger on the ground in Melbourne, including during the formal filing of the police report. The airline emphasized its full cooperation with local authorities and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding passenger safety.

“We are in continuous communication with the concerned passenger and remain committed to supporting him throughout the follow-up process,” Ade said.

He expressed regret for the incident and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

“We can confirm that upon receiving the report, all cabin crew had followed standard operating and safety procedures, including promptly coordinating with airport authorities to initiate a search,” he said.

The viral nature of the incident has sparked public concern about passenger safety and onboard security, particularly as the alleged theft occurred mid-flight, where access is limited and movement is typically monitored.

Social media users expressed shock and frustration, with many calling for greater accountability and more rigorous security protocols on international flights.

In his Instagram post, Michael Tjendara appealed to the public and local businesses to help retrieve CCTV footage, from the time and location where the phone was last tracked.

“This isn’t just about a phone − it’s about the safety of all passengers in the future. Please help tag and share this story so the right people see it,” he wrote.

Garuda Indonesia has not provided a timeline for the completion of the internal investigation or the reinstatement of the crew members.