Builds On Original Order For 10 Aircraft Last Year

Indonesia's carrier Wings Air, which is a subsidiary of Indonesian largest private carrier Lion Air, and ATR announced the signature of a contract for the purchase of 15 ATR 72-500s on Monday, with options for 15 ATR 72-600s series aircraft. The order was initially announced in November 2008 as an MoU for 10 firm ATR 72-500s plus options for 10 additional ATR72-500/600s. It has now been increased by 5 firm and 5 option aircraft. The total amount of the agreement, including options, is valued at some $600 million.

File Photo

These 72-seat aircraft will enable Wings Air to become the launch customer for the ATR 72-500s in Indonesia and the largest ATR operator in the country. The aircraft, powered by PW 127M engines, are to be delivered between 2009 and 2011.

The entry into service of these aircraft will also enable Wings Air to consolidate its leading position in the rapidly developing domestic market in Indonesia, and to develop feeder routes to serve its mainline jet network. In addition, the new ATR fleet operated by Wings Air will also provide new services to local communities that were often not benefitting from regular airline service in the past. The ATR 72-500s operated by Wings Air will also replace routes currently operated with MD 80 and B-737-300/400 and increase frequencies on existing routes operated with B-737-900ER.

Rusdi Kirana, the Chairman of Wings Air and Chief Executive Officer of Lion Air, said of the new contract: "We are pleased to further develop our partnership with ATR. The new fleet of ATR 72-500s will enable Wings Air to expand our domestic network in Indonesia with the most fuel efficient regional aircraft."

"The dependable support organization of ATR in South East Asia, coupled with the success of their aircraft in our region, are two major factors in our decision to introduce them in Indonesia. Thanks to the low operating and maintenance costs of the ATRs, we will be able to offer the best fares to our passengers".

Stéphane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, said "With the signature of this new contract, Wings Air will become one of our largest clients in South East Asia, a region which has been particularly fruitful for ATR in the last years, where some 70 ATRs are being operated daily."

"The ATR 72-500s are optimally suited to meet the expectations of Wings Air in terms of providing high-quality service and comfort to their passengers," he continued. "They will also provide efficient air transportation to smaller communities by offering regular air connectivity to more remote areas in Indonesia. We are honored to contribute to the development of the domestic passenger network in Indonesia."

FMI: www.atr.fr