ATR 72-600

Indonesia’s Lion Group has placed a $1bn order with ATR for 40 additional ATR 72-600s, becoming the largest customer for ATR.

The carrier has already purchased 60 ATR airliners and has so far received 40 aircraft from the order.

Lion said that the new ATR 72-600s will allow it to serve the increasing demand forecast over the next five years across its operators’ networks, as well as develop other opportunities for ATR operations across Asia and other markets worldwide.

The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered starting in 2017 and running through to 2019.

"With these new-generation airplanes in our fleet, the Lion Group will continue to contribute to the economic development in Indonesia, Malaysia and Asia."

Lion Group chairman Rusdi Kirana said: "The ATR 72-600 aircraft enable us to achieve a brilliant economic performance.

"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."

ATR chief executive Patrick de Castelbajac said: "We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with the Lion Group."

ATR generates 40% of sales for the ATR-600 series aircraft from the Asia Pacific region and to date more than 300 ATR aircraft are in operation with Asia-Pacific carriers with orders for around 100 aircraft.

Lion Group operates three subsidiary airlines, including Wings Air with a fleet of 32 ATR aircraft in Indonesia; Malindo Air with a fleet of ten ATR aeroplanes in Malaysia; and Thai Lion Air with one ATR in operation in Thailand.

Image: Lion Group’s subsidiary Wings Air operates a fleet of 32 ATR aircraft in Indonesia. Photo: courtesy of ATR.

Defence Technology