National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia was surprised to hear the European Commission's decision to extend the ban on the airline from entering European territory, local press said on April 14.

The airline claimed earlier it had carried out the necessary measures to improve safety.

According to Garuda spokesman Pudjobroto, the EU decision was unexpected, especially after a Garuda delegation had informed the EU Commission on transportation earlier this month on the progress it had made in its safety commitment, reported major newspaper The Jakarta Post.

"They acknowledged our changes and were happy we were about to receive a safety certificate from the IATA (International Air Transport Association)," he told the English-language daily.

On April 11, the EU decided Garuda and other Indonesian airlines would remain to be blacklisted, saying Indonesian authorities and Garuda were yet "to demonstrate they had completed the corrective actions."

"It was decided that none of the Indonesian carriers could be withdrawn at this stage from the list," the European Commission said in a statement.

Indonesia was first on the EC's list in July last year after four deadly crashes, including one Garuda Boeing 737-400 plane that burst into flame during a landing in Yogyakarta last March, killing 21 passengers.