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."