Lion Air pilot suspended for assaulting hotel worker
A Lion Air pilot has been grounded and is facing disciplinary action after assaulting a hotel clerk because he wasn’t satisfied with how his pilot’s uniform was ironed.
Arden Gabriel Sudarto was filmed at the front desk complaining to the hotel worker and then slapped him several times.
The CCTV footage posted to Facebook has since been viewed over one million times.
He struck the employee four times in the face before being led away by a work colleague.
The incident took place at the front desk of La Lisa Hotel in the Indonesian city of Surabaya.
Lion Air said the pilot was suspended last week and could end up being fired.
A police report was also filed.
"Currently, Lion Air is gathering data and other information needed for an investigation," airline spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said.
"If the pilot is found guilty after the investigation, Lion Air will apply firm sanctions by dismissing him from the company."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026