Lion Air recruits ex-PT DI workers

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam | Archipelago | Thu, April 04 2013, 7:46 PM

Low-cost carrier Lion Air’s intention to handle its own maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work of its 750 aircraft has opened employment opportunities for people with aircraft engineering expertise.

Currently, 30 percent of the employees at Lion Air’s heavy maintenance division are former state-run aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) workers.

Lion Air heavy maintenance manager Ronny Roozanno told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that around 30 percent of the 200 skilled workers in the heavy maintenance division were former PT DI employees. They were recruited due to their expertise in aircraft engineering and train less experienced staff.

He said the completion of Lion Air’s first MRO facility in Batam in June would open more employment opportunities. At least 1,200 workers will be needed to fill various positions in the division. An additional 3,000 workers will be needed once the second MRO facility, located on 12 hectares of land, is completed in 2016, he added.

“We have started recruiting workers for the MRO facility in Batam and Lion Air representatives have visited vocational schools in several areas. We have given the information in particular to second grade students,” said Ronny.

He said the MRO was also in the process of obtaining certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. "So, it will be at a same level as the Garuda maintenance facility,” he added. (ebf)