Lion Group Signs US$ 1 Billion Purchase Agreement for 40 ATR 72-600s

Indonesia's Lion Group has signed a US$ 1 Billion purchase agreement for 40 additional ATR 72-600s, hiking the firm order total for the newest generation ATR turboprops to 100 aircraft.

The order makes the Lion Group ATR's largest ever customer.

There are currently three subsidiary airlines in the Lion Group operating ATRs: Wings Air with a fleet of 32 ATR aircraft operating in Indonesia; Malindo Air with a fleet of 10 ATRs operating in Malaysia; and Thai Lion Air, so far with 1 ATR in operation in Thailand.

Deliveries of the aircraft signed on Thursday will start in 2017 and run into 2019.

Rusdi Kirana, Chairman of the Lion Group, said, “The ATR-600 aircraft are very competitive, as they enable us to ensure a high frequency service. 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's Chief Executive Officer, Patrick de Castelbajac, added, “Lion Air has become our largest customer among airlines, and has been successfully operating ATR 72s for five years. We are honored to receive this outstanding new order, which is an historical ATR milestone, and we thank the Lion Group for their continued strong commitment to our profitable and eco-efficient aircraft. The ATR-600 series feature the highest level of operational performance, while offering its passengers the highest standards of comfort and service. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with the Lion Group ... We also thank the strong financing support provided by SACE, Italy's Credit Export Agency, which has considerably contributed to develop and consolidate such a fruitful partnership.”

The Asia Pacific region accounts for nearly 40% of the sales of the ATR -600 series aircraft. Today, more than 300 ATR aircraft are operated by Asia Pacific carriers, while there are some other 100 on order.

ATR 72-600

Passenger capacity: 68-74 seats
Engines: Pratt & Whitney 127M
Maximum power at take-off: 2,750 horse power per engine
Maximum weight at take-off: 23,000 Kg
Maximum load: 7,500 Kg
Maximum range with full passenger load: 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km)