Transportation Ministry to impose firm sanction on Lion Air pilot

The Transportation Ministry will impose a firm sanction on a Lion Air pilot found consuming crystal meth, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said.

"I am concerned about the case. Of course, we will take firm measures," he stated at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, west of Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The Lion Air pilot, identified by his initials as MS, is believed to have consumed crystal meth when the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) searched his hotel room in the East Nusa Tenggara provincial capital of Kupang on Monday night (Dec 4).

Lion Air spokesman Ramaditya Handoko noted that the management of the airline company expressed gratitude to BNN and police for their continued efforts to eradicate drug abuses.

"We highly support any effort to eradicate drug abuse involving air crew members," he remarked.

The management of Lion Air monitors the health of its crew members every morning, in accordance with its standing procedures.

In addition, the airline also routinely conducts medical checkups on its pilots once every six months, he added.

The pilot, who was believed to have abused drugs, is a senior pilot who had been working for the airline since 2014. According to the airline, he has good medical record and good conduct.

"If he is found guilty of abusing drugs, he will be subjected to a sanction in accordance with the company`s rule. The sanction may include dismissal as an employee," he revealed.

The pilot has been taken to the Kupang city police station for questioning