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Operations not greatly affected by MAX 8 grounding: Lion Air
The Lion Air Group says the temporary grounding of its 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft does not significantly affect its operations as it has other types of airplanes ready to replace them.
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The wingtip of a Lion Air aircraft is viewed in flight. (Shutterstock.com/Aumphotography )
T
he Lion Air Group says abiding by the government's temporary grounding of its 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft would not significantly affect its operations as it had other types of airplanes ready to replace them.
“Now [we are] entering the low season. There are many other aircraft available for flights, so we can replace [the grounded planes] with other aircraft. For example, we replace the MAX 8 on international routes such as to China and the Middle East with wide-body planes,” said Lion Air Group managing director Daniel Putut on Tuesday.
The government temporary grounded all Boeing 737 Max aircraft following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 in Addis Ababa, on Sunday. The accident happened just months after the crash of Lion Air flight JT610 near Jakarta.
Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia reportedly also operates Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
During the grounding, Daniel said the Lion Air Group would work with the government, particularly a team from the Air Transportation Directorate General, to inspect all MAX 8 planes.
China, Singapore and Ethiopia have also prohibited the operation of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. (bbn)
