Lion Air orders an Additional 30 Boeing 737-900ERs

Jakarta-based Lion Air has exercised its purchase rights and ordered an additional 30 Boeing 737-900ERs (Extended Range). Valued at more than $2.2 billion at list prices, deliveries of these additional 737-900ERs are scheduled to begin in early 2010 and continue through 2012.

Lion Air, the launch customer for the 737-900ER, announced its first order for 30 737-900ERs and 30 purchase rights in July 2005. These two orders combined total 60 airplanes. Deliveries of the first order are scheduled to begin in 2007.

The 737-900ER, the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family, increases the capability of the 737 by carrying more passengers and flying farther.

 "Maximizing the unprecedented economic advantages of the 737-900ER is the key to our future growth as we expand our routes and add new destinations within our growing market," said Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana at the Farnborough Air Show. "We look forward to introducing the 737-900ER into Lion Air's fleet and to our growing base of customers."

The 737-900ER is the same size as today's 737-900, but with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat-rear pressure bulkhead, it can carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class configuration. Additionally, Blended Winglets, advanced technology wing enhancements and auxiliary fuel tanks will give the 737-900ER an increased range of 3,200 nautical miles (5,925 kilometers) - 500 nautical miles more than the 737-900.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Boeing, Lion Air