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BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
25 July, 2005: Lion Air, a low-cost carrier operating from Indonesia, has placed firm orders for 30 737-900ER jets, with options to buy 30 more, just days after Boeing Company officially launched the aircraft.
The order is valued at $3.9 billion at list prices and the first of the aircraft would be delivered by early 2007.
Earlier, the airline had announced its intent to order up to 60 737s this year.
Incidentally, Boeing had officially launched the 737-900ER (Extended Range), the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 family, on July 21.
“We are confident that the outstanding economics and reliability of the aircraft will contribute to the expansion and modernisation of our fleet,” Rusdi Kirana, president director, of Lion Air said.
Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines, the jets have a range of 3,200 nautical miles and feature 9-per cent lower operating costs per trip and 7 per cent lower operating costs per seat than the Airbus A321, Boeing claimed in a release.
"The Next-Generation 737 is the most efficient single-aisle airplane family today, and we are thrilled to have Lion Air as the launch customer to increase the 737 family's capability with the additional range and seating of the 737-900ER," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The 737-900ER is the same size as the 737-900, but with an added pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead. The aircraft can carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class layout.
The new model has incorporated aerodynamic and structural design changes, including strengthened wings, a two-position tailskid and enhancements to the leading and trailing edge flap systems.
An optional blended winglets and auxiliary fuel tanks, will allow the 737-900ER to accommodate higher takeoff weights and increase its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km), making it comparable to the 737-800's range.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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