Lion Air Submits Approval for Its Boeing 737 Max 8's Return to Service

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry’s director general of air transportation Novie Riyanto on Wednesday received the formal submission of the airworthiness certificate issuance for two Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by local low cost carrier Lion Air, which plans to operate again this January.

"We have received a letter of application for the reoperation of the Boeing 737 Max (owned) by Lion Air in the context of issuing a certificate of airworthiness and in the evaluation process from the DJPU team," said Riyanto on January 5. 

This specific type of Boeing aircraft was grounded for two years after two separate tragic accidents involving one Lion Air (2018) and one Ethiopian Air (2019) where both Max 8’s suddenly nose-dived due to faulty software, killing all 189 onboard the Indonesian LCC and 157 in the Ethiopian Airline.

Riyanto said the air carrier must undergo a number of steps and meet certain requirements before Lion AIr is permitted to introduce the Max’s for commercial flights. Lion Air itself has ten Boeing 737 Max 8 in its fleet. 

They must pass airworthiness directives, scheduled maintenance, and unscheduled maintenance prior to returning to service. Novie confirmed that only Lion Air had applied for the issuance of a certificate of eligibility while flag carrier Garuda Indonesia which has one unit has not.

In addition to the aircraft maintenance aspect, the Transportation Ministry would conduct an inspection of the operational readiness of the Boeing 737 Max which includes training of personnel and supporting facilities. 

Read: Fate of Garuda Indonesia's Grounded Boeing 737 Max Fleet

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA