Indonesia Resumes Boeing 737-9 Flights, Lion Air Cleared for Operations

Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has lifted the temporary flight ban on the Boeing 737 MAX 9, allowing Lion Air, the sole operator of the model in Indonesia, to resume its operations. This decision follows thorough inspections of the airline’s three B737-9 aircraft.

The ban was initially imposed in response to a serious incident involving an Alaska Airlines B737-9 earlier in the month. However, Indonesian authorities have now deemed the aircraft safe for operations. Ministry spokeswoman Adita Irawati confirmed that after coordination with Boeing and rigorous inspections, it was determined that there were no issues with Lion Air’s B737-9s.

Adita Irawati noted that Lion Air’s B737-9s have a different door system compared to the Alaska Airlines aircraft involved in the incident. Lion Air’s configuration of the B737-9 accommodates 221 passengers in a single cabin, whereas the Alaska Airlines jets have a capacity of 178 passengers in a two-cabin configuration.

The grounding was officially lifted on January 11, with the confirmation made public a week later. According to ch-aviation PRO airlines data, Lion Air’s B737-9 fleet includes PK-LRF (msn 42989), PK-LRG (msn 42991), and PK-LRI (msn 42987). Tracking data revealed that PK-LRI resumed operations with domestic flights on January 14 and 15, while PK-LRF and PK-LRG have remained inactive since January 3, just before the Alaska Airlines incident.

This move by the Indonesian government marks a significant step in restoring confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX 9’s safety and reliability in the region. Lion Air, a major low-cost carrier in Indonesia, is now positioned to fully utilize its fleet of B737-9 aircraft, bolstering its domestic and potential international services.