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Editorial: No Room for Drug Use Among Pilots
February 06, 2012

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pakGuru
3:50pm Feb 6, 2012

to assume the aviation industry has the public trust is greatly mistaken.

getting on an indonesian airline is the best time to see religion. everybody prays for a safe arrival.

"there arent any atheists in an indonesian plane"

shytallnight
3:18pm Feb 6, 2012

As I have said before, this is just another issue Indonesian Aviation needs to overcome but likely will not. I do not need to say anything because Indonesia's air safety record speaks for itself.

As the industry expands things will likely get worse not better. The industry lacks professional oversight and the means to support his growth - buying aircraft is one thing, operating them is another.

I would agree though, the entire book should be thrown at pilots caught doing drugs. You would at least expect the company to have disciplinary procedure in place therafter the Police can take over.

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The arrest of a third Lion Air pilot for drug use should shock both the aviation industry and the authorities into taking strong action, given the grave implications for the safety of air passengers.

If driving a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime in most countries, how much worse is it when the person at the helm is a pilot who holds the lives of hundreds of people in his or her hands? It is beyond belief that a pilot would consume drugs before piloting an aircraft given the responsibility he or she carries.

The Indonesian Air Carriers Association (In aca) has called for the Transportation Ministry to not only suspend pilots found to be using drugs but also to revoke their licenses immediately. We would urge the authorities to go even farther and charge those pilots in violation of drug laws in a court of law.

The safety of passengers is at issue and no quarter must be given. The management of the airline must also be held responsible for the behavior of their pilots; in this case, they have failed to ensure that safety regulations are being followed.

The House of Representatives is expected to summon Lion Air’s management in the wake of the arrest. While that may be good for the image of legislators, it does not solve the problem.

What is needed is a police investigation into the matter and immediate steps by the Transport Ministry to ensure that the problem is not widespread among pilots flying for other airlines.

The unacceptable actions of a few pilots could damage the image of the entire aviation industry just as it is beginning to take off. Passengers may now think twice before flying with Lion Air and other domestic air carriers that do not appear to treat passenger safety as their number one priority.

Only quick and decisive action can save the industry from a seriously damaging loss of public trust.

Indonesia’s aviation industry has faced similar challenges in the past and overcame them by doing what is right for the public. It once again faces a serious threat to its future and needs to once again reassure both the public and the government that it will rise to the challenge.