Lion Air beefs up for Australia launch
Indonesia’s low cost carrier Lion Air has sent a strong signal that it intends to be a major force in Asia’s skies.
The airline has placed an order with Airbus for a record 234 planes worth US$24bn.
The order trumps last year’s record order for 230 Boeing planes – also from Lion Air.
The two orders, once fulfilled, would put the airline in the world’s top 10 by number of aircraft, although Lion Air is banned from flying within both the 27-nation European Union and the US over fears that its safety standards are not up to scratch.
The planes are all in the A320 family of planes and the first are due for delivery in 2014.
Lion Air recently confirmed plans to launch Lion Air Australia and Lion Air Thailand subsidiaries.
The airline has reportedly reached an agreement to acquire 49% of an unnamed Australian company and base six aircraft in Australia.
Ian Jarrett
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