Indonesia's Wings Air ordered 15 ATR 72-500s, with options for 15 ATR 72-600s series aircraft at the Dubai air show. This is a development of a deal announced in November 2008 that had originally consisted of 10 firm orders for ATR 72-500s plus options for 10 more.

The total amount of the agreement, including options, is valued at $600 million.

This makes the Lion Air subsidiary the launch customer for the ATR 72-500s in Indonesia and the largest ATR operator in the country. The aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines, are to be delivered between 2009 and 2011.

The aircraft will enable Wings to reach smaller communities across Indonesia and extend its feeder services to Lion Air.

The ATR 72-500s will replace routes operated with Boeing MD-80 and 737-300/400s and increase frequencies on existing routes operated with 737-900ERs.

Source: Flight International