Wings Air's Now Operates 30 Of The Aircraft

European turboprop manufacturer ATR, Indonesia's Wings Air and its parent company Lion Air have signed an operational contract for the purchase of 15 additional ATR 72-500s. Friday's signature for this new 72-seat aircraft order, which follows the agreement signed in 2010, has been witnessed by Mr. Hatta Rajasa, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Mrs. Christine Lagarde, the French Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry, and Mr. Philippe Zeller, HE the French Ambassador in Indonesia. These aircraft will bring to 30 the total fleet of ATRs operated by Wings Air.

Signing Ceremony

ATR and Lion Air had previously inked a contract in 2009 for the purchase of 15 ATR 72-500s and options for 15 additional aircraft. The deal announced today represents the conversion of all 15 options, resulting from a strong growth of Wings Air's and Lion Air's markets. Wings Air introduced the new ATR 72-500s in Indonesia in January 2010 and 10 of the aircraft are already in operation. With the delivery of the 15 additional aircraft, Wings Air and Lion Air will become ATR's largest customer in South-East Asia.

With its fleet of ATRs, Wings Air is developing a strong regional network across Indonesia, increasing passenger traffic and frequencies, while improving connectivity to small and remote communities. Wings Air's ATR fleet is also enabling the airline to feed Lion Air's Boeing 737-900ER vast routes network.

With the introduction of the new ATRs in the coming months, Wings Air will further develop new routes from and to Sumatra, Sulawesi and Java, as well as connecting big cities with flying range within one hour, like Surabaya and Denpasar. Lion Air, its parent company Wings Air and ATR are all grateful to the French and Italian Governments for their essential support provided through their respective Export Credit Agencies COFACE and SACE in the financing that has permitted the operation of ATR72-500 aircraft by Wings Air in the skies of Indonesia.

"Our increasing fleet of modern ATR aircraft is making a strong contribution to the growth of our national economy," said Pak Rusdi Kirana, Chairman of Wings Air and President Director of Lion Air. "We are proud to expand and develop transportation capabilities across Indonesia with aircraft featuring the most modern technologies and comfort standards. ATR aircraft are becoming very popular in Indonesia as they play a key role in the development of business and tourism, as well as interconnecting the Indonesia archipelago."

"We are consolidating a strong and fruitful partnership with Lion Air and Wings Air, and we are glad to witness the growing success of such a leading brand in South East Asia," said Filippo Bagnato, Chief Executive Officer of ATR. "The success of the development of regional routes in Indonesia is clearly having a deep impact on our growth in South East Asia. This very dynamic South-East Asian market represents a third of our sales in the last years and there is already some 130 ATRs being operated there. We are pleased that leading carriers in Asia select our aircraft and enjoy unbeatable economic and revenue performances."

FMI: www.atraircraft.com