Lion Air Suspends Boeing 737 Max 8 Operation Per March 12

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Low-cost carrier Lion Air announced that it temporarily suspends the operation of Boeing 737 Max 8 starting today, March 12.

Lion Air Corporate Communication Strategic, Danang Mandala Prihantoro, said that the plane grounding was imposed following the regulation issued by Transportation Ministry on Monday.

On an email Monday, March 11, Danang asserted that Lion Air possessing ten Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft prioritized the flight safety and security in operating their fleets.

Transportation Ministry issued a circular letter on Monday, March 11, demanding two Indonesian airlines possessing Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, temporarily halt the jet operation.

Read also: Indonesia Temporary Grounds Boeing 737 Max 8 Jets

The regulation was circulated after a deadly crash of Boeing 737 Max 8 plane owned by Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-320 on Sunday, March 10. The plane boarding 149 passengers and 8 cabin crews went off the radar at 08:44 local times.

Prior to the tragic Ethiopian Airline crash, Indonesia’s Lion Air flight JT 610 crashed into the Karawang waters in West Java, killing all 188 passengers and its crew members.

To anticipate further incident, Lion Air continuously coordinated with the Directorate General of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation. Danang underlined that Lion Air had met the standard operational procedure released by the aircraft manufacturer.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA