Lion Air Group co-founder Rusdi Kirana said at the signing of the purchasing contract here on Tuesday that the purchase is in line with the increase in passenger traffic, which has reached 300 million per year.
"We saw the future market not only in Indonesia but also in Asia. In Malaysia, we have operated large airplanes and so also in Thailand. In the future, we will see the potential in other countries too," Kirana noted.
In addition to the growth rate in passenger traffic, development of airplane technology has required the company to adjust with market demand while improving its efficiency on operational cost.
"We need good airplanes. With improvement in technologies, we need airplanes that could serve long distance route such as to Jeddah," he added.
Meanwhile, President Director of Lion Air Group, Edward Sirait, remarked that Boeing 737 Max 10 jet would generate more profit and cut operation cost due to its higher fuel efficiency.
"Boeing 737 Max is a perfect combination of single-aisle aircraft, and it would become an ideal aircraft for Lion Air Group`s growth strategy," Siarit revealed.
Boeing 737 Max 10 would join the previous Max 8 and Max 9 already being operated by Lion Air Group.
He shared his optimism that the Max 10 jets would become a solution for the company to expand its business and services, especially in Southeast Asia.
The purchase was a follow up of the commitment between Boeing and Lion Air Group at the Paris Air Show 2017.
Senior Vice President Asia Pacific & India Sales Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Dinesh Keskar, remarked that Lion Air Group has been the launch customer of the 737 Max 8 and Max 9.
"With the 737 Max 10, Lion Air Group would have a list of efficient and reliable choices of fleet to optimize its networking to serve passengers and increase profit as well," he added.
US Ambassador Joseph R Donovan noted that the purchase of the 737 Max 10 would help in enhancing bilateral trade between Indonesia and the United States.
"The sales would allow Lion Air to support development of sustainable tourism in Indonesia, to bring higher economic development in each region in the archipelagic state of Indonesia," he revealed.
Boeing 737 Max 10 offers a configuration of 130 to 230 seats, with a range of 3,850 nautical miles (7,130 kilometers).
The MAX 10 incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays, and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.
Reported by Juwita Trisna Rahayu
(S022/INE/B003)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
