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 employment contracts while reassuring the public of its commitment to safety. However, negative media coverage and concerns from customers and regulators led to government imposing new laws and the EU banning Lion Air from European routes until major reforms were implemented.

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.