ATR and Lion Air sign MoU for 20 ATRs

ATR and Indonesia’s Lion Air have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 10 firm ATR 72-500 with options for 10 additional aircraft. The deal is valued at more than US$380 million, including options. These aircraft will be the first new ATR 72-500s to fly Indonesia’s skies.

The 72-seat aircraft will be operated by Lion Air’s subsidiary Wings Air, and will be equipped with the Elegance cabin, higher power rated PW 127M engines and the latest technological innovations in navigation aid and communications tools. Aircraft deliveries will start in 2009.

 “These aircraft are for our subsidiary Wings Air, for our feeder service to support our Boeing 737-900ER operations. With our brand new fleet of ATR 72-500s, we will be able to develop a strong low-cost network, feeding Lion Air’s major hubs,” said Rusdi Kirana, Lion Air CEO. “Lion Air has chosen ATR because they have a big support network, which was a very important issue for us. This is coming from the presence of their Support Center in Singapore, the strong presence of ATR aircraft in South East Asia, and the well-known and recognised support provided by the manufacturer to its regional operators.”

Including the 10 firm orders in this MoU, ATR has sold, since the beginning of the programme, 968 aircraft (419 ATR 42s and 549 ATR 72s), and has delivered 799 (401 ATR 42s and 398 ATR 72s), thus posting a current backlog of 169 aircraft.

Launched in 2000 with a single aircraft, Lion Air today operates 37 planes flying to not only all of Indonesia’s major cities and wondrous tourist destinations, but to Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh as well. Lion Air also has plans to expand its routes to both the domestic market and throughout the Asia Pacific region.

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