Lion Air, the biggest airline in Indonesia, has officially become a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)—a global organization that manages more than 330 airlines from 120 countries, representing over 80% of world air traffic.
The announcement was made during a prestigious moment at the IATA 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), held from 1–3 June 2025 at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre, New Delhi, India.
By joining IATA, Lion Air becomes part of an airline community that shares global responsibilities in safety, service, efficiency, and sustainability. IATA opens its membership to airlines operating scheduled and unscheduled flights, primarily requiring the IOSA Certificate (IATA Operational Safety Audit)—a world-class airline safety audit standard.
Commitment to Safety and Operational Excellence
Lion Air has consistently and periodically followed and passed the IOSA audit, demonstrating its responsibility for safe, standardized, and reliable operations. This audit covers more than 900 operational aspects, including flight procedures, crew training, aircraft maintenance, and safety management systems.
This step confirms that Lion Air complies not only with national regulations but also with international best practices. It is this dedication that strengthened IATA’s confidence in accepting Lion Air as a full member.
The Benefits of IATA Membership
Lion Air reaffirmed its commitment to guaranteeing customers’ rights to safe and convenient travel. The benefits of this membership for the public and customers include:
- Safer flights monitored strictly by international standards.
- More professional, accurate, and efficient services from ground handling to inflight.
- Easier connectivity to international flight networks, including cooperation with foreign airlines through the global booking system.
- Competitive pricing with improved quality, maintaining Lion Air’s position as a low-cost carrier (LCC) operating under world-class standards.
- Improved transparency of information and better consumer protection to build customer trust and satisfaction.
Big Steps Toward the Future
Becoming an IATA member is an important milestone in Lion Air’s journey and a testament to the dedication of the entire Lion Air team. This collaboration strengthens the airline’s commitment to delivering a world-class flying experience while upholding the highest international aviation standards.
Through collaboration with IATA, Lion Air gains several advantages, including:
- Access to global training programs, data, and industry best practices.
- Increased operational efficiency and stronger safety systems.
- Support for sustainable practices and digital transformation.
- Enhanced trust from global partners and stakeholders.
- Recognition that Indonesian airlines can stand on par with global players, elevating Indonesia’s presence in the international aviation arena.
Supporting Connectivity and Accessibility in Aviation
As one of the busiest airlines in Southeast Asia, Lion Air plays a vital role in improving connectivity and accessibility that influence public mobility, logistics, and tourism. The contributions include:
- Expanding domestic networks to more regions, including connections to subdistricts, to accelerate mobility and promote equitable development.
- Improving accessibility for middle- to lower-income passengers, increasing tourist traffic, and supporting the distribution of MSME products and national logistics.
- Expanding international routes to boost global trade and support Indonesia’s bilateral relations abroad.
- Investing in aviation infrastructure through domestic aircraft maintenance, such as Batam Aero Technic, to strengthen national competitiveness.
- Committing to human resource development through education and community empowerment initiatives at the Lion Group Training Center.