Indonesian low-cost carrier Lion Air plans to use its newly-ordered Boeing 737 aircraft - including 201 of the re-engined 737 Max - to expand domestically and regionally, including possibly launching new services to destinations in China and India.
Last week's order for a total of 230 Boeing 737s - 201 of the re-engined 737 Max and 29 737-900ERs - is based on a projected 10-15% annual growth in its domestic and regional markets, said Edward Sirait, the airline's general affairs director. It could launch new regional services on the back of this, he added.
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The new aircraft will replace the 737-300/-400 Classics and MD-90 aircraft in its existing fleet.
The airline will finance its purchase, which inlcudes an option for a fuerther 150 aircraft, through loans from banks and the US Export-Import Bank, added Sirait.
Lion Air already has orders for 125 more 737-800/-900s, according to Flightglobal's ACAS database.
Boeing expects to deliver the 737 Max to customers in 2017.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
