Well Jetjockey,
Lion's Wings ordered the ATRs and couldn't get the exemption.
Batavia's Airbuses are, "unapprovedly maintained" according to Airbus.
So, seems that the EU ban isn't strict. Really! CASA's audits were stricter!
All the EU asked for is:
- Are you adequately covered by the DGCA?
- Do you have records of your screwups?
- What do you do regarding those screwups?
Lion answered, "screwups? what screwups? We NEVER screwup!" Everyone knows that's a lie.
Batavia answered, "oh, we screwed up REAL bad in this, this, this and this. We're implementing this, this and this, but we don't know what the resultant improvements are." And that was acceptable.
The major difference between those two is one tries to cover it all up (and allegedly forks out heaps of money to keep the media silent), whilst the other, just says, "yes we suck!"
Put me on a Batavia A320 with only 1 IRS working anyday over a Lion 737-900ER with a claimed "spotless record".
Partially "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" is true, but not the whole truth.