Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia Not Beset by Ban on Boeing 737 Max 8

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two Indonesian big airliners, Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia, claimed that the corporation would not experience loss for grounding Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in response to the regulation issued by Transportation Ministry. The policy was imposed in the wake of the jet crash owned by Ethiopian Airlines.

Garuda Indonesia technical director I Wayan Susena said that there was no report on the declining number of passengers or the reduction in flight schedules after halting the operation of one of its aircraft.

“We have the operational backup,” said Wayan Wednesday, March 13, at the Transportation Ministry office.

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Wayan explained that his corporate had prepared Boeing 737-800 NG to replace the problematic fleet, Boeing 737 Max 8, that was under inspection to ensure its airworthiness.

Lion Air shared a similar statement. Lion Group managing director, Daniel Putut Kincoro Adi, mentioned that the airliner had spare aircraft to replace the ten grounded fleets.

“We have 114 aircraft in the type of Boeing 737 Nex Generation currently being operated,” Daniel said, adding that the grounding would not be detrimental for the corporate since it was implemented during a low season.

The temporary suspending operation of Boeing 737 Max 8 would valid for a week. The Transportation Ministry’s Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation Director, Avirianto said that the aircraft type would undergo three inspection steps; on the angle of attack, speed, and pilot training.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA