Targeting Thailand Market, Lion Air Group Will Add 36 New Aircraft This Year

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - To increase the company's operations, Lion Air Group will bring in 36 aircraft this year, including ATR 72-600 coming in 20 units, Airbus A320CEO eight units, Boeing 737 MAX 8 with four units and Boeing 737 MAX 9 with nine units.

Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait said all Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft with a capacity of 200 people will be sent to Thailand to develop the Thai Lion Air flight business. "There will be many that we make in Thailand," said Edward in Jakarta, Monday (5/2/2018).

Edward said it will develop many international flight routes to Bangladesh, China and India. With a large capacity, Thai Lion Air airlines can develop the target number of passengers well because Boeing MAX 9 is superior to the previous series of MAX 8 with a capacity of less than 200 people.

But the same technology, which is fuel efficient and operational power of up to seven hours.

In addition, Thailand has sufficient airport capacity to store aircraft. While Indonesia has limited capacity at the existing airport, because the parking space of the plane is solid.

The Indonesian airport is also not operated much open until the evening, making it difficult to expand international flights at major airports due to slot limitations.

In addition to these four aircraft, Lion Air Group will still be arriving 36 aircraft type Airbus, Boeing and ATR throughout 2019. Airbus is still predicted to come eight aircraft, Boeing eight aircraft and ATR six aircraft.

This year, Lion Air Group has also ordered 50 units of Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft since last year.

Edward said Boeing 737 MAX 10 has a number of advantages over the previous series of MAX 8 and 9, the capacity of up to 200 people is more fuel efficient and travel every flight also reaches nine hours.

"It is superior to the previous series, more can be used for flights with an eight-hour distance," he said.

For economy class flights, the airline's operations are profitable for airlines and passengers as it makes ticket prices cheaper with efficient flights.

He said the plane for the development of routes to the continent of Europe or India. Short term, he said, completes the existing routes that are the favorite customers of every airline shade Lion Air Group.

Like the previous 737 MAX series, the 737 MAX 10 incorporates the latest technology of CFM International LEAP-1B engine, "advanced technology winglet", Boeing Sky Interior, larger deck display, and other improvements that provide convenient efficiency and good reliability to improve business airline.