Wings Air to become the largest ATR operator with 60 aircraft

Lion Air and ATR signed (16-Feb-2012) a contract for the purchase of 27 additional ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at USD610 million. Once these aircraft are integrated into the fleet of Lion Air's regional subsidiary Wings Air, it will become the largest operator of ATR aircraft in the world, with a total fleet of 60 aircraft (20 ATR 72-500s and 40 ATR 72-600s). Wings Air introduced its first ATRs in Jan-2010 and currently operates a fleet of 16 ATR 72-500s across its domestic network in Indonesia. The airline plans to receive its 60th ATR 72 by the end of 2015. The next 44 ATR 72-500/600s to be delivered to Wings Air will continue to develop new routes departing mainly from Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua islands. Some of these aircraft will also replace and complement Wings Air's MD-80s and Lion Air's 737s operating from these airports, thus adding new frequencies into the network. [more - original PR] [more - CAPA Analysis]