Lion Air explains rationale behind entry into full service operation

Lion Air PR Leithen Francis, speaking at the CAPA - Airline Fleet & Finance Summit 2014, stated (26-Mar-2014) the group's reasoning for entry into full service market through its Batik Air subsidiary is because it believes as people fly LCCs more and more, there will be passengers who will eventually transition into full service segment as their expectations increase. He said the carrier wants to have a product offering for those people. Batik Air will expand its route network from 10 to 22 this year as well as adding six A320s and four Boeing 737s later this year, expanding the carrier's fleet from six to 16 aircraft, according to Mr Francis. Batik Air is also aiming to launch its first international route, to Singapore, this year.