He is the founder of Indonesian budget no-frills airline Lion Air which introduced both domestic and international flights, using the slogan, "We make people fly".

He continues to develop Lion Air's businesses and intends to become a market leader in domestic flights.

For infrastructure, Rusdi cooperated with the TNI AU and PT Dirgantara Indonesia, hiring a hangar at Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung to use as a maintenance facility for Lion Air.

Rusdi Kirana became active in politics after stepping down from his business leadership role in Lion Air Group.

[1][2] On November 16, 2015, Rusdi Kirana issued a warning against Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan for alleged defamation related to the proposal to build Lebak Airport, Banten[8] after Jonan made a comment against him, accusing him for wanting to close the Curug Indonesian Aviation Polytechnic in order to build the airport.

[11] Rusdi and Lion Air's lobbying on Lebak Airport's construction ends up being cancelled as the plans did not meet the government's requirements.

[14] Rusdi then ran as member of House of Representatives for East Java VIII electoral district during the 2024 general election.