News
Airbus roars with multi-billion offer from Lions Air
March 20, 2013, Paris, France - Airbus has finalized a firm order with Indonesia's budget carrier Lion Air for 234 A320 airplanes, including 109 A320neo, 65 A321neo and 60 A320ceo jets, in a deal estimated to be worth €18.4 billion.
March 20, 2013 By aerospace-technology.com
The firm order was finalized by Lion Air co-founder and CEO Rusdi Kirana and Airbus president/CEO Fabric Brégier at a special ceremony that was held at the Elysée Palace in Paris.
Lion Air plans to choose the engine to power its A320 jetliners at a later date.
The A320 can accommodate up to 180 passengers, while the A321 can seat up to 236 in a single class layout featuring the latest cabin configuration options.
Lion Air will use the new A320s to meet the growth requirements on its expanding domestic and regional route network.
Rusdi Kirana said the fuel-efficient A320s would enable Lion Air to achieve the lowest possible operating costs and continue to offer the most competitive fares in the Asian region.
"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," Kirana said.
Fabrice Brégier added: "This announcement marks our first order from Lion Air, one of Asia's fastest-growing and most successful low-cost carriers."
To date, Airbus has received around 9,400 firm orders for its A320 line, with in excess of 5,400 having been delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide.
The A320ceo and A320neo feature more than 95% airframe commonality, making them an easy fit into the existing fleet.
Lion Air operates flights to a network of more than 70 destinations in Indonesia and South East Asia.
