Lion Group MRO arm gains FAA certification for 737 repairs

Lion Air Group's MRO unit, Batam Aero Technic (BAT), has been certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration as a Part 145 repair station for the Boeing 737.

The certification covers the Next Generation and Extended Range models of the narrowbody, says the MRO operator.

Its president and director, Rai Pering, tells FlightGlobal that the FAA certification allows the company to approach third-party airlines for work. He adds that BAT's current two hangars still have capacity to take on "20% more [third-party work]".

Pering says that following FAA certification, BAT is also preparing for a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) audit in August for the 737. In addition, it is developing A-check capabilities for the group's new 737 Max 8 aircraft.

BAT mainly services the Lion Air Group airlines comprising Lion Air, Wings Air, Batik Air, Malindo Air and Thai Lion Air. Malindo was the launch customer for the 737 Max 8 and will Lion Air will be the launch customer for the Max 9.

Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the group operates 258 aircraft comprising Airbus A330-300s, 737-900ERs, 737-800s, 737 Max 8s and 747-400s. It also has 415 aircraft on order.

BAT is located adjacent to Batam's Hang Nadim International airport.