On Nov. 16, Indonesia's carrier Wings Air - a subsidiary of Indonesia's largest private carrier Lion Air - and ATR announced the signature of a contract for the purchase of 15 ATR 72-500s, with options for 15 ATR 72-600s series aircraft.

This order, which was initially announced in November 2008 as an MoU for 10 firm ATR 72-500s plus options for 10 additional ATR72-500/600s, has now been increased by 5 firm and 5 option aircraft. The total amount of the agreement, including options, is valued at some US$600 million.

ATR 72-500

These 72-seat aircraft will enable Wings Air to become the launch customer for the ATR 72-500s in Indonesia and the largest ATR operator in the country. The aircraft, powered by PW 127M engines, are to be delivered between 2009 and 2011.

The entry into service of these aircraft will also enable Wings Air to consolidate its leading position in the rapidly developing domestic market in Indonesia, and to develop feeder routes to serve its mainline jet network.

In addition, the new ATR fleet operated by Wings Air will also provide new services to local communities that were often not benefitting from regular airline service in the past. The ATR 72-500s operated by Wings Air will also replace routes currently operated with MD80 and Boeing 737-300/400 aircraft and increase frequencies on existing routes operated with Boeing 737-900ER aircraft.

Commenting on the signature of this new contract, Rusdi Kirana, Chairman of Wings Air and Chief Executive Officer of Lion Air, declared: "We are pleased to further develop our partnership with ATR. The new fleet of ATR 72-500s will enable Wings Air to expand our domestic network in Indonesia with the most fuel efficient regional aircraft."

He added: "The dependable support organization of ATR in South East Asia, coupled with the success of their aircraft in our region, are two major factors in our decision to introduce them in Indonesia." He also concluded: "Thanks to the low operating and maintenance costs of the ATRs, we will be able to offer the best fares to our passengers."

Stephane Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, declared: "With the signature of this new contract, Wings Air will become one of our largest clients in South East Asia, a region which has been particularly fruitful for ATR in the last years, where some 70 ATRs are being operated daily."

He added: "The ATR 72-500s are optimally suited to meet the expectations of Wings Air in terms of providing high-quality service and comfort to their passengers. They will also provide efficient air transportation to smaller communities by offering regular air connectivity to more remote areas in Indonesia. We are honored to contribute to the development of the domestic passenger network in Indonesia."

The ATR -500 Series

With its ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500, ATR supplies state-of-the-art aircraft with the highest standards of comfort. The advanced six-blade propeller provides remarkably low noise levels. All ATR models are compliant with noise regulations and have a large margin with regard to Chapter IV (ICAO) noise regulations, effective Jan. 1, 2006. The "-500 series" feature the lowest fuel consumption per passenger and CO2 emissions of the regional aviation, thus contributing to make ATR the "Green Player" of the regional aviation.

About Lion Air and Wings Air

Lion Air is the Indonesia's largest private carrier and operates one of the world's youngest and advanced fleets of the next generation Boeing 737-900ER and world's largest fleet of Boeing 737-900ER. Lion Air was established in October 1999 and started operations on Jun. 30, 2000. Wings Air is the sister company of Lion Air and was established in 2002. Wings Air predominately operates regional and rural routes and blended into Lion Air's network as a feeder airline.

About ATR

Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50-to-74-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) and EADS. In 2008, ATR posted an annual turnover record, with US$1.3 billion. ATR is ISO-14001 certified, the worldwide standard in the field of environmental respect.

Images: ATR 72-500 in Wings Air livery.