(6/23/2007)
Indonesia's Lion Air has placed an order for 40 next-generation Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with an estimated value of US$ 3 billion. Aiming to become a player on the international and regional aircraft industry scene, Lion Air now has 100 new aircraft on order for delivery through 2013.
The most recent purchase contract was signed at a ceremony held at Le Bourget Airport during the Paris Air Show 2007. The President Director of Lion Air, Rusdi Kirana, told the press that the purchase was part of the Company's strategy to remain competitive in the face of the liberalization of ASEAN skies in 2010. "Perhaps some people see our increase in armada as overly-ambitious for Lion Air, but when 'open skies' come (in 2010) the 100 aircraft we've ordered will still prove insufficient to satisfy the development of the national aviation market," explained Kirana.
New Routes Planned
As part of its future growth plan, Lion Air plans to introduce new regional routes by the end of the current year including Jakarta-Hong Kong, Surabaya-Hong Kong, Medan-New Delhi, Medan-Madra, and Medan-Mumbai.
The Boeing 737-900ER aircraft ordered by Lion Air can carry 220 passengers.
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