Sriwijaya Air

In 2003, Sriwijaya Air was founded by Chandra Lie, Hendry Lie, Andi Halim, and Fandy Lingga, who named it after the historical Srivijaya empire. That same year, on 28 April, it obtained its business licence, while the AOC (Air Operator's Certificate) was issued later that year on 28 October. Commencing operations on 10 November 2003, the airline initially launched flights between Jakarta and Pangkal Pinang, before introducing new routes such as Jakarta-Pontianak and Jakarta-Palembang. In its first year, Sriwijaya Air experienced rapid growth, and by June 2009, Sriwijaya Air was operating 23 aircraft, serving more than 33 domestic and 2 international routes.

In 2007, Sriwijaya Air received the Boeing International Award for Safety and Maintenance of aircraft, awarded after passing the inspection carried out over a few months. In the same year Sriwijaya Air received the Aviation Customer Partnership Award from Pertamina. In 2008, Sriwijaya Air was awarded an award by Markplus & Co., signifying public appreciation of the services provided by Sriwijaya Air. In August 2015, Sriwijaya Air also achieved the BARS (Basic Aviation Risk Standard) Certification issued by the Flight Safety Foundation.[4] Aircraft maintenance is done by PT. ANI (Aero Nusantara Indonesia), AiRod Sdn Bhd and Garuda Indonesia Maintenance Facility (GMF AeroAsia).

At the 2011 Paris Air Show, Sriwijaya Air agreed to buy 20 Embraer 190 jets, with purchase rights for 10 more. However, the airline cancelled its order shortly afterwards, instead deciding to utilize the 737 aircraft it already owned.[5]

In 2011, the airline began leasing 12 used Boeing 737-500s with a total value of $84 million to replacing its ageing 737-200 aircraft, with deliveries taking place between April and December 2011.[6]

In 2013, many destinations such as Palangkaraya, Banda Aceh, and Bandung, were closed for commercial reasons. In August 2013, the airline phased out its Boeing 737-200 fleet, and plans to replace its entire 737 Classic fleet with Boeing 737 Next Generation as well. The last Sriwijaya Air 737-400 has been retired in 2016. At the 2015 Paris Airshow, Sriwijaya Air also signed an order for 2 737-900ER with a purchase option to acquire up to 20 Boeing 737 MAX. This deal was Sriwijaya Air's first order for brand-new aircraft after almost 12 years operating in Indonesia. It took delivery of its first and second Boeing 737-900ER on 23 August 2015.

Today, Sriwijaya Air is categorised as a Medium Service Airline that serves only light snacks. Sriwijaya Air had planned to expand into a full-service airline, which are required to have at least 31 airplanes with business class seats and meals for passengers. However, as of 2015, the airline has yet to achieve its goal.[7]

Some previously closed routes were opened again in 2015, like Bandung and Pekanbaru, even though these routes are now operated by NAM Air, not Sriwijaya Air. As of November 2015 (for NAM Air since its forming in 2013), Sriwijaya Air and NAM Air are the only airlines in Indonesia that permit female flight attendants to wear the hijab in all regular flights, and are among the airlines in Southeast Asia that allow it alongside Royal Brunei Airlines and Rayani Air. Other airlines in Indonesia known only allow their female flight attendants to use the hijab when operating Hajj/Umra flights or flights to the Middle East, especially to Saudi Arabia.

In November 2018, Garuda Indonesia through its subsidiary Citilink took over operations as well as financial management of Sriwijaya Air by a cooperation agreement (KSO).[8][9]

On November 8, 2019, the Cooperation Agreement (KSO) between Garuda Indonesia and Sriwijaya Air was terminated, marked by the resumption of Sriwijaya Air's ground service equipment which was originally stored while the Cooperation Agreement (KSO) was in progress. This was because PT. GMF Aero Asia .Tbk and PT. Gapura Indonesia. Tbk, as subsidiaries from Garuda Indonesia Group, unilaterally stopped providing services to Sriwijaya Air passengers, causing various delays and abandoned passengers. The Sriwijaya Group did not pay in cash to the Garuda Indonesia Group for the provision of the service facilities. After the split, the Indonesian transport regulator announced inspections amid safety concerns.[10]

Sriwijaya Air subsidiaries use NAM as an acronym, in honour of the Sriwijaya Air CEO's father, Lo Kui Nam.

• NAM Air - Feeder of Sriwijaya Air, first flight on 11 December 2013.
• National Aviation Management - a flying school based in Pangkal Pinang, also known as NAM Flying School.
• National Aircrew Management - Cabin Crew Training Centre based in Jakarta, next to Sriwijaya Air headquarters. Also known as NAM Training Centre.
• National Aircraft Maintenance - Performing minor maintenance for Sriwijaya Air and NAM Air. Major maintenance is performed by GMF AeroAsia and AiRod Sdn Bhd.
• Negeri Aksara Mandiri - Producing inflight magazines for Sriwijaya Air and NAM Air, known as "Sriwijaya Inflight Magazine".
• PT. Nieve Aplikasi Mandiri - New IT arms for Sriwijaya Group.

As of January 2021, Sriwijaya Air serves 14 scheduled domestic destinations throughout Indonesia as well as a sole remaining international route to Timor Leste.[2]

• On 27 August 2008, a Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737-200 (PK-CJG, c/n 23320) operating as flight Sriwijaya Air Flight 62 overran the runway at Sultan Thaha Airport, Jambi. There were 26 injuries and one fatality. The deceased was a farmer who was with his family in a hut sheltering from rain when it was struck by the plane.[17][18]

• On 20 December 2011, a Boeing 737-300 (PK-CKM, c/n 28333) on Sriwijaya Air Flight 230 encountered windshear on final approach and after touchdown veered off the runway while landing at Adisutjipto International Airport, Yogyakarta. The aircraft managed to touch down, but could not stop in time. The aircraft came to a stop 25 meters past the runway end. The right main landing gear and nose gear collapsed, causing the right engine and wing were substantially damaged. There were no fatalities and two passengers received minor injuries during the evacuation. The aircraft was written off.[19]

• On 1 June 2012, a Boeing 737-400 (PK-CJV, c/n 24689), operating domestic flight as Sriwijaya Air Flight 188 from Jakarta to Pontianak veered off runway 15 during landing at Pontianak in heavy rain. The aircraft, after aquaplaning on the drenched runway, came to stop left of the tarmac on soft ground on its belly (the nose gear collapsed and the main landing gear sank into the soft soil) and received substantial damage. No injuries occurred, the airport was temporarily closed as its single runway was blocked by the accident. On 2 June the aircraft was removed from the runway by the use of heavy cranes and the airport reopened for normal traffic.[20]

• On 13 October 2012, a Sriwijaya flight from Medan, North Sumatra to Minangkabau International Airport, Padang, West Sumatra accidentally landed at Tabing Air Force Base, some 7 miles (12 km) away. None of the 96 passengers and 4 crew were injured. The pilot and co-pilot were suspended and subsequently questioned by the NTSC. [21][22]

• On 9 January 2021, a Boeing 737-500 (PK-CLC), operating as Sriwijaya Air Flight 182, crashed near Laki Island, shortly after taking off from Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport, killing all 62 people on board (50 passengers and 12 crew).[23] The flight was bound for Pontianak Supadio Airport. The cause of the incident is under investigation.[24]

• Nam Air - Sriwijaya Air sister company
• List of airlines of Indonesia

Media related to Sriwijaya Air at Wikimedia Commons

• Official website