Wings Air, a Lion Air subsidiary, has received three of the 15 ATR 72-500 aircraft ordered from ATR in 2009. The contract for 15 ATR 72-500s along with options for 15 ATR 72-600s is valued at a total of $600m. The ATR 72-500, powered by Pratt & Whitney 127M engines, can fly 78 passengers at speeds of up to 276kt.
Wings Air will be able to consolidate its position in the Indonesian domestic market, develop feeder routes to the main hubs and expand its network to remote areas of the country with the new fleet.
The three ATR 72-500s will also replace MD 80 aircraft and increase frequencies on existing routes operated by B-737-900ER aircraft.
The regional carrier will be the first to introduce the ATR 72-500s in Indonesia and the remaining 12 ATR 72-500s will be introduced in 2010 and 2011.
(Aerospace technology, 11 January 2010)