TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Lion Air temporarily halts Boeing 737 MAX 9 operations
Indonesia’s largest budget carrier has decided to ground three Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft until further inspection, according to a Transportation Ministry statement.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Lion Air planes are parked on the air side of Terminal 1 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in May 2016. (kompas.com/Andri Donnal Putera)
I
ndonesian budget carrier Lion Air has decided to temporarily ground three Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft following an incident with a similar aircraft used by Alaska Airlines, according to a Transportation Ministry statement.
The statement issued on Monday afternoon added that the operations of the aircraft were suspended since Saturday pending a review and evaluation carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
It is important to note that Lion Air's Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft differ from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 used by Alaska Airlines. Lion Air uses the mid-cabin emergency exit door type II configuration.
“The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will continue to coordinate with the FAA [United States Federal Aviation Administration], Boeing and Lion Air to monitor the situation and will provide further information as the situation develops. Our top priority continues to be the security and safety of flight operations,” the statement reads.
Lion Air corporate communications strategic director Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a statement released on Sunday that the country's largest private airline was currently taking preventive measures.
Lion Air was conducting additional inspections focused on the mid-cabin emergency exit door, including the mid-cabin emergency exit flight lock operational test, and the company was in constant communication with other stakeholders.
“Lion Air continues to work with Boeing, Indonesian regulators and relevant civil aviation authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of its flights. Lion Air has always prioritized factors that meet the qualification of safety and security in all aspects of operational and flight services,” Danang said.
