TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of Civil Aviation at the Transportation Ministry, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, explained that Super Air Jet’s flight IU-737 from Bali to Jakarta experienced technical issues with the cabin’s air pressure control system last Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

“So the air temperature in the cabin was high and caused inconvenience,” Kristi said in a written statement on Thursday, March 23.

Kristi thus ordered relevant directorates to issue a warning to the low-cost carrier and launch further inspections to ensure that the aircraft is safe for the next flight.

In addition, the Transportation Ministry asked Super Air Jet to conduct an internal investigation and make the necessary improvements to prevent the incident from recurring in the future.

“Besides, Super Air Jet is asked to provide guidance to flight personnel if they are found to neglect the applicable Standard Operational Procedure (SOP),” Kristi added.

She also appealed to all airlines to keep improving services and prioritizing flight safety and security. Moreover, public mobility is getting high ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

The Transportation Ministry will conduct a ramp inspection of aircraft that will operate to serve Eid homecoming. “I remind operators in the aviation sector to comply with the 3S + 1C principles: Safety, Security, Services, and Compliance [with applicable rules],” Kristi underlined.

Ari Azhari, the Director of Super Air Jet, said Airbus 320-200 aircraft with registration code PK-SAW had already passed a checking process before departing. “All aircraft systems and equipment were in prime condition and ready to fly,” Ari claimed in a press statement, Wednesday, March 22.

However, he admitted that there were indications that the pressure control system was not functioning optimally when the plane reached a height of 30,000 feet, so the pilot had to lower the plane's altitude.

“This disturbance causes the air temperature in the cabin to be higher than it should be,” said Ari, offering apologies on behalf of Super Air Jet.

The Super Air Jet aircraft carrying 179 passengers and six crew took off from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 17:55 Bali time and landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 18:40 Jakarta time.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI | AMELIA RAHIMA SARI

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