Lion Air places record-breaking Airbus order
Indonesia’s Lion Air has placed another record-breaking order, with the purchase of 234 A320-series aircraft from Airbus.
The airline, which last year placed Boeing’s largest-ever order for 230 B737s in the presence of US President Barack Obama, has continued its trend of high-volume, high-profile deals, by signing the Airbus order at the Elysée Palace in Paris, with French President François Hollande looking on.
The deal – Lion’s first with Airbus – will see the Jakarta-based carrier take delivery of 60 standard A320s, plus 109 of the new fuel-efficient A320neo and 65 larger A321neos. In a single-class layout the A320 can seat up to 180 passengers, while the A321 can carry up to 236.
Lion’s co-founder and CEO, Rusdi Kirana, signed the deal in Paris with Airbus’ President & CEO, Fabrice Brégier, in the presence of President Hollande.
“The fuel-efficient A320 family will enable Lion Air to achieve the lowest possible operating costs and continue to offer the most competitive fares in the Asian region,” said Kirana. “This landmark order will ensure that the Lion Air Group will continue its expansion with one of the most modern and advanced fleets in the world.”
The new aircraft are likely to be divided between Lion’s three main carriers; Lion Air, Batik Air and Malindo Air – the new Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost carrier that will launch this week. The group currently operates a fleet of approximately 90 aircraft, but the latest order means it now has outstanding orders for more than 540 aircraft.
“This announcement marks our first order from Lion Air – one of Asia’s fastest-growing and most successful low-cost carriers,” said Brégier. “The news underscores the market-leading position of the A320 family, which continues to attract new customers for both the current and new engine options. We very much look forward to welcoming Lion Air as a major new operator of Airbus aircraft.”
The Airbus order is worth more than US$23 billion at current list prices.
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