Lion Group becomes ATR's largest customer

ATR and Lion Group signed (27-Nov-2014) a USD1 billion purchase agreement for 40 additional ATR 72-600s, increasing the firm order total for the newest generation ATR turboprops to 100 aircraft. Lion Group becomes ATR's largest customer ever. There are currently three subsidiary airlines in the Lion Group operating ATRs: Wings Air with a fleet of 32 ATR aircraft operating in Indonesia; Malindo Air with a fleet of 10 ATRs operating in Malaysia; and Thai Lion Air, so far with one ATR in operation in Thailand. These additional 40 ATR 72-600s will be used to meet the growing demand forecast over the next five years both within the Group's existing operators' networks and to develop other opportunities for ATR operations throughout Asia and developing markets worldwide. Deliveries of the aircraft signed on 27-Nov-2014 will start in 2017 and run into 2019. Lion Group chairman Rusdi Kirana stated: "These modern and fuel-efficient aircraft will meet the future growth of the Lion Group airlines. The ATR 72-600 aircraft enable us to achieve a brilliant economic performance". He added: "The ATR-600 aircraft are very competitive, as they enable us to ensure a high frequency service. With these new generation airplanes in our fleet, the Lion Group will continue to contribute to the economic development in Indonesia, Malaysia and Asia, including remote regions as well as tourist driven markets such as Bali, Java, Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sumatra". The Asia Pacific region accounts for nearly 40% of the sales of the ATR -600 series aircraft. Today, more than 300 ATR aircraft are operated by Asia-Pacific carriers, while there are some other 100 on order. [more - original PR]