Lion Air group receives its 100th Boeing 737 Next-Gen aircraft

by Devesh Agarwal

Traditional Indonesian dance graces the ceremony

US airframer Boeing has delivered to Lion Air a new Boeing 737-900ER, marking the delivery of the 100th Boeing 737NG to the Lion Group, Indonesia's largest airline group.

It is not surprising that the delivered aircraft was the largest in the Boeing 737 Next-Generation family. Lion Air, which was established in 1999, was also the launch customer for the 737-900ER.

In February 2012, the carrier finalised the world's largest jetliner order, at the time, for 201 737 MAXs and 29 Next-Generation 737-900ERs (extended range), worth $22.4 billion at list prices. Lion Air will also be the launch customer of the 737 MAX 9, which will be the new engine upgrade of the 737-900ER.

Lion Air mainline currently operates 67 737-900ERs and 19 737-800s. The group's other Next-Generation 737s are allocated to its full-service carrier in Indonesia, Batik Air, and to its overseas affiliates: Malindo Air in Malaysia and Thai Lion Air, a new carrier based in Bangkok.

Lion Air is engaged in a bitter rivalry with Malaysia's low cost group AirAsia headed by Tony Fernandes. Lion Air decided to launch Malindo in Malaysia, after Tony Fernandes moved to Indonesia to focus on the growth of Indonesia AirAsia. AirAsia is also in the process of launching a new carrier in India, AirAsia India.

The Lion Group's 100th airplane, a 737-900ER (Extended Range) features a special livery commemorating the delivery. Lion Air's 900s are configured in an all economy 213 seat layout.

The Lion Air Group operates an extensive route network in Indonesia and also serves international destinations. In terms of domestic, Lion mainline and subsidiary Wings Air serve 76 destinations in Indonesia, giving the group the largest domestic network in Indonesia. Lion Air mainline has 580 flights a day and Wings Air has 180 flights per day.

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Video: Boeing delivers its 7,500th 737 to Malaysian start-up Malindo Air

Boeing has delivered a 737-900ER, the 7,500th 737 to come off the production line to Malaysia-based Malindo Air. The aircraft in a two class configuration, 18 business class and 164 economy class seats, features the Boeing Sky Interior featuring sculpted side-walls, improved window reveals, LED lighting and larger pivoting overhead baggage storage. The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner of all time with total orders exceeding 10,500 airplanes.

Malindo Air is a joint venture by Jakarta, Indonesia-based Lion Air and Malaysia's National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI). The name "Malindo" comse from the names of respective countries: Malaysia and Indonesia.

Malindo is a response by Lion Air after the entry of AirAsia from Malaysia, in to their home turf of Indonesia. AirAsia's subsidiary Indonesia AirAsia, in partnership with its parent firm, bought Indonesian carrier Batavia Air to gain foothold in the Indonesian market. Mr Chandran Ramamuthy, personal assistant executive to the president director of Lion Air, has been appointed as CEO of Malindo Air. The airline inaugural flights will be operational from 22nd of March.

Malindo will take a hybrid approach to differentiate itself from the bare bones low cost AirAsia. Malindo will provide a personal TV IFE (in-flight entertainment) system in every seat, free snacks or meals, seat pitches of 32" and 45" for economy class and business class respectively, and a free baggage allowance of 15 kg and 30 kg. The airline also plans to add in-flight Wi-Fi service.



Images courtesy Randy's Journal

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