Lion Air began operations on 30 June 2000, flying passenger services between Jakarta and Pontianak using a leased Boeing 737-200. Since that time it has expanded operations to fly from Jakarta to 35 destinations - both domestic as well as Singapore and Malaysia.
The full name of Lion Air is PT Lion Mentari Airlines. It is wholly owned by Rusdi Kirana and family.
Lion Air is establishing a joint venture with the small Brisbane-based airline, Sky Air World. It is planning to extend its fleet with six new Boeing 737's, and start both domestic and international flights by the end of 2008.