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."