Lion Air, an Indonesian airline established in 2000, faced a crisis when two pilots tested positive for methamphetamine just hours before a scheduled flight in February 2012, which was the third such incident in under a year. The airline responded by vowing more frequent and intense drug testing of pilots and stricter contracts, but faced backlash from negative media coverage, fearful customers, new government regulations, and a ban from the European Union, prompting recommendations to thoroughly reform safety policies and procedures to reassure the public.

1. Lion Air
Crisis Analysis

2. Lion Air
• Headquarters: Jakarta Airport, Indonesia
• Established: 2000-started with one plane
• Now fly to over 36 destinations, and have one
of the biggest fleets
• Known for having cheap flights

3. The Scandal
• In February 2012, 2 Pilots were caught using
meth 3 hours before take off
• Unusual? No, it has happened twice before,
once in the fall of 2011, and once in January of
2012

4. Response
• Verbal
– Committed to more intense drug tests
– “we will do whatever it takes to keep our
customers safe”
• Non-Verbal
– Upping drug tests, more frequently
– Stricter contracts

5. Media Response
• Did not paint Lion Air in good light
• “wide spread problem”

6. Stakeholder Response
• Customers were afraid to fly
• Government imposed strict new laws for
pilots and airlines
• European union banned Lion Air from flying
into Europe

7. Recommendations
• Reassure the public flying with Lion Air is safe
• Highest and most stringent safety checks
possible
• Major overhaul on policies, contracts, and
drug tests.