Lion buys 234.....
 

Lion buys 234 Airbus A320s for $24b

European aerospace giant Airbus has landed a massive deal from local budget carrier Lion Air to buy 234 of its popular Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft worth up to US$ 24 billion.

Lion president director Rusdi Kirana said that the order might comprise 174 Airbus NEOs (new engine option) and 60 Airbus CEOs (current engine option), although the airline had until next year to determine final configurations.

"These aircraft will be used for two new airlines in the Asia Pacific region that we plan to have by 2014," Rusdi said in Paris. "The first six airplanes will be delivered in 2014."

Previously it was reported that European airframer giant Airbus and Indonesian budget carrier Lion Air would announce an order of 200 narrow-body aircraft A320 aircraft in Paris, France, later in the day, French newspaper Les Echos reported early on Monday.

It was reported that French President Francois Hollande will oversee the announcement ceremony of which details have yet to be revealed.

The huge order, potentially worth almost US$20 billion, marks a major shift in Lion’s procurement strategy, which until recently only included both narrow-body and wide-body Boeing aircraft.

In its inventory, the low-cost carrier (LCC) has a Boeing 737 classic series, 737-800 and 737-900ER narrow-body aircraft. Lion also operates two Boeing 747-400 wide-body aircraft for its Saudi Arabia routes. Lion has also ordered a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

It is not yet clear whether the order would be a mix of Airbus A320 classics and the re-engined A320 NEO. NEO stands for new engine option, which offers better range and fuel economy.

Previously on Feb. 14 2012, Lion Air signed a contract to buy 230 units of Boeing 737’s consisting of 29 737-ERs and 201 units of the 737-9 MAX, Boeing's answer to Airbus’s A320 NEO.

The contract was signed at the Singapore Airshow in Changi, as a follow up to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed in Bali on Nov.18, 2011. The MoU was signed with the presence of US President Barack Obama, who attended the ASEAN Summit.

Lion's director of general affairs, Edward Sirait, refused to reveal any details until the announcement was made. He also said there was no change in Lion's procurement strategy, saying it would be better to have comparisons.

“While it is a must for budget aircraft to operate as efficiently as possible, it does not limit operated aircraft only to a single type,” Edward said over breakfast.

“What we are looking for is the efficiency.”

“I believe the limit is 50 units of the same type of aircraft. Beyond that, you have the liberty to operate other type of aircraft that also must meet the efficiency level,” Edward said.

Other than Lion Air, the Lion Group also flies ATR-72-500/600 twin turboprop aircraft for its Wings Air feeder airline. The company is set to launch its own full-service airline, Batik Air, later this month and is preparing its Malaysia-based joint venture, Malindo Air.

The Jakarta Post, Paris | Business | Mon, March 18 2013,

Good one
 

Good news I guess...

Does anyone know if this airline takes experienced pilots through agencies? or directly through website or something?

Thank you very much.

PS: At this moment in their website only appear the option to apply as cadet pilot

Wow!!!! That's a lot of iron. What are the total orders now for Lion Air - 500+ new aircraft over the next decade? I guess it makes sense to diversify your vendors (Boeing & Airbus) if you have large enough fleets that include support services to preserve your negotiating leverage.

Too bad pilot salaries will likely continue to disappoint into the future despite the growing need and competition for experienced pilots in that region of the world. Air Asia needs pilots. Garuda needs pilots. Lion Air needs LOTS of pilots. Certainly great pilot opportunities if you are willing to accept sub-par salaries... :mad::yuk:

First Turkish, Then Lion Air and Now Maybe SpiceJet Deals...
 

Sounds like Airbus might win another big "replacement" deal. Like Lion Air, SpiceJet is also considering adding/switching to Airbus aircraft from the Boeing 737-800.

See Article:

SpiceJet Weighs Switch to Airbus From Boeing on Technology


By Karthikeyan Sundaram - Mar 18, 2013 1:44 AM ET


SpiceJet Ltd. (SJET), the Indian discount carrier operating an all-Boeing Co. fleet, said it may consider a full switch to Airbus SAS aircraft as it weighs options for a new generation of planes.

“As long as you can manage the implications and the risks that you’re taking and there’s enough money in it” the company would consider the switch, Chief Executive Officer Neil Mills said in an interview in Mumbai yesterday. The carrier currently has 37 Boeing 737 aircraft and plans to add seven more of the planes this year, he said.

A switch by SpiceJet would further tilt India’s budget airline fleet market share in favor of Airbus, whose planes are used by IndiGo, India’s biggest domestic carrier by market share, and Go Airlines (India) Ltd. Such a move could further hurtBoeing (BA) as it works to implement safety upgrades to its 787 Dreamliner to end a two-month grounding of the fleet after a smoking battery forced an emergency landing Jan. 16.

Mills was part of the EasyJet Plc team that in 2002 oversaw the start of a transition at the U.K. carrier from an all-Boeing fleet to Airbus aircraft. EasyJet had 75 aircraft when it started the transition toward an Airbus fleet, Mills said.

SpiceJet will consider Airbus A320neos to replace its Boeing fleet, he said. “It’s the new generation of aircraft that offers the next level of technology,” Mills said.
737 Max

Shares of the budget airline fell 1.2 percent to 33.5 rupees as of 11:10 a.m. in Mumbai. The stock has declined 24 percent this year.

Boeing, based in Chicago, didn’t offer an immediate response to an e-mail seeking comments.

The planemaker said last month it’s in talks with SpiceJet and Jet Airways (India) Ltd. to sell its 737 Max single-aisle aircraft as the plane maker forecast Indian carriers would need 1,450 new planes through 2031.
Boeing has 1,064 firm orders globally for the 737 Max single-aisle planes, Dinesh Keskar, senior vice-president for India and Asia Pacific sales, said last month. In comparison, Airbus had 1,734 firm orders for the A320neos as of Dec. 31.

In 2011, IndiGo firmed up an order for 150 A320neos and 30 of the existing version of the A320, while GoAir confirmed a deal for 72 A320neos.

SpiceJet’s Mills said the carrier will separately consider adding as many as five Bombardier Inc. (BBD/B) Q400 turboprops to expand its regional flights.

To contact the reporter on this story: Karthikeyan Sundaram in New Delhi at [email protected]

New airplanes won't fix the malfunctioning infrastructure of the airline. Also let's not forget that Lion Air can't fly to the rest of the world. How many flights can they operate between Jakarta and Halim?:}

They are another pathetic excuse for an airline that has their Government in their pocket.

That's going to mean an enormous amount of simulator training to cover all those aircraft. Does Lion Air have its own simulators?

who will fly these acfts?

I doubt the business is really out there what with Air Asia's CEO ordering 300 A320 Neo, Malindo Air etc etc.

Lion Air Australia?

They would need to pass a CASA Audit which they have as yet been unable to do. Also the EU ban complicates issues with insurance and potential contracts, regardless of where they operate.

Contract positions to be sold later to legitimate operators who really want and need the jet for their expansion. Sort of cornering the market and hopeful profiteering.

Where's the source of this information .. or is this just your guess?

Apparently uncle Rusdi doesn't think an order of 700 aircraft will be enough ... check out this interview from the ATR website.

ATR Aircraft

I left out the term "Speculation". But at the end of the day given the fact they can't seem to get by the dreaded "Black List", what else can they do with so many jets?

What I got told about his sweat shop of lion workers...I guess all work, no play make Jack ACCIDENT prone...:p.. Well Papi Rusdi has forgotten about his local workers.. No pay increases, living costs going up (yes. even in JKT:ugh: Even Alexis and BATS girls have increased there prices:()

Loin, He will get his pilots as there are so many different contracts for pilots, Now (CAPTAINS) Malaysian and probably some expat earning 9000+USD (90hrs per month) plus 8wks on 2wks off plus ID90 travel and housing.. Local slaves (captains) earning 7/8000USD (100+hrs) 4days off per month and 12 business days off per year (annual leave) NO ID travel... :mad: well i guess they have no time to go.. :oh:

His plans is probably to franchise his company to Southeast Asia... (open skies 2015) if JCO (Indonesian doooooonut shop)can do it, Loin can do it tooo:ok::E

Btw... I decided to change Lion to Loin Air.:ok::p

Malaysian and probably some expat earning 9000+USD (90hrs per month) plus 8wks on 2wks

Are you trying to say thats good ???????????????????

Its Lion Air Like it or lump it.

Are you sure about that? I would prefer to see a European list of airlines who wanted to operate to Europe and were permitted / banned, rather than a list of all airlines in a specific country especially when they don't have suitable aircraft to operate the route to Europe.

But considering that the Indonesian CAA now insist that pilots must have at least 500 hours prior to employment, where are they going to source the pilots?

Mutt

That 250 hours on type ruling only apply to foreign pilots. There are a number of part 141 schools in Indonesia now churning out local CPL graduate pilots.

Here's your answer Mutt.

List of airlines banned within the EU - Transport