LION Air has taken legal action against Indonesia’s civil aviation authority by accusing Suprasetyo, the director general of air transportation, for “power abuse”.
The action was taken following the sanction imposed by Suprasetyo on Lion Air’s ground handling agent at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for mishandling international passengers.
Edward Sirait, general affairs director of Lion Air in a press conference last weekend, said: “The government has imposed sanction without warning and even before investigation is conducted.”
He pointed out that the requirement to find a new ground handling agent within five days was also unrealistic. “The government’s role is to supervise, not to destroy (a company),” he added.
In response, Suprasetyo said he was not worried as all was done according to regulation. “We are ready to face it. The sanction we have imposed is in accordance with the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lion Air had submitted a request to the Ministry of Transportation to halt 93 domestic and two regional routes for one month as of May 18. The request, which was approved by the authority, took place after the sanction was imposed.
The route suspensions are not related to the sanction, according to Lion Air, but due to the seasonal shoulder period.
