Jakarta. Lion Air has officially announced that its three Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, with registrations PK-LRF, PK-LRG, and PK-LRI, are now declared safe and airworthy for flight operations. These aircraft were temporarily grounded on Jan. 6, 2024, but the suspension has now been lifted.

"The decision comes after a joint inspection by Lion Air and the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations (DKPPU) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia," said Corporate Communications Strategic of Lion Air, Danang Mandala Prihantoro on Friday. 

On Jan. 5, an Alaska Airlines Max 9 jetliner had to make an emergency landing after a plug covering an unused exit door blew off the plane as it cruised about 4.8 kilometers over Oregon, USA. Following the incident, the Indonesian government ordered the grounding of similar aircraft belonging to Lion Air, the country’s biggest airline.

Lion Air asserts that its Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft do not fall into the category of aircraft involved in incidents related to the mid-cabin door emergency exit. This is due to the aircraft having a different configuration (design) than the aircraft involved in the incident in Oregon.

"Lion Air's Boeing 737-9 MAX is fitted with an operational mid-cabin emergency exit door type II, indicating that the system on this specific emergency exit door is active and functioning correctly," Danang said.

Danang reassures that Lion Air's Boeing 737-9 MAX fleet remains unaffected by the Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Jan. 6, 2024, and by the Ministry of Transportation on Jan. 7, 2024. 

"Lion Air has collaborated closely with Boeing, Indonesian regulatory bodies, and relevant civil aviation authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of its flights. The airline reiterates its commitment to prioritizing safety in all operational and flight service aspects," Danang said.