Lion Air Group Starts Operating Boeing 737 MAX 9 in Thailand
25 March 2018 14:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lion Air Group, via Thai Lion Air, will soon serve the airline route with the world's first Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The HS-LSH registered aircraft will enter commercial service after directly imported by Boeing Company from Seattle, the USA to Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.
Boeing 737 MAX 9 is a single-aisle fleet service which designed for a capacity of 215 passengers and spacious space between its seats. The aircraft equipped with Boeing Sky Interior with a large luggage storage.
Thai Lion Air CEO and Chairman Capt. Darsito Hendro Seputro said the company, a subsidiary of Lion Air Group, is proud to operate the world's first Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
Thai Lion Air expected to use the latest aircraft for an expansion by opening more long-haul routes. "This aircraft is perfect to support our growing business in Thailand. MAX 9 will be one of the strengths of Thai Lion Air's fleet to increase transportation capacity while opening several new routes," he said in an official statement on Saturday, March 24.
President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Kevin McAllister said Lion Air is one of many airline groups that rely on single-aisle aircraft. Using the Boeing 737 MAX, Lion Air Group can further improve the efficiency of the aviation industry.
Boeing 737 MAX 9, according to McAllister, can reduce the operational costs because the fleet is more efficient. He claimed the 737 MAX was the aircraft series that posted the fastest sales in Boeing history.
Boeing 737 MAX 9 has two indentations on each winglet and incorporated with the CFM International LEAP-1B engine to reduce the noise. Its fuel consumption and aircraft emission level is claimed to be 14 percent lower than the current 737 type.
Lion Air Group is the first buyer of Boeing MAX 9. Based in several Southeast Asian countries, the airline group is also the first airline operator to add Boeing 737 MAX 8 into its operational services.
Lion Air Group committed to bringing 50 units of Boeing 737 series MAX 10. The group also has an additional order of 1,273 MAX series aircraft which makes it as one of the largest operators in the world.
Thai Lion Air is one of the low-cost carrier (LCC) at Lion Group which was established in 2013, has 12 domestic networks, two cross-country flights (regional), and more than 20 international destinations.
Thai Lion Air operates an all-new aircraft, consisting of Boeing 737-900ER which can carry 215 passengers, Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats, and Airbus A330-300 with 392 seats. Currently, Thai Lion Air has a total of 32 new aircraft.
Thai Lion Air provides free luggage of 20 kilograms on international flights, 10 kg for domestic flights, and additional 15 kg of sports equipment. The airline also has a new service called Lion Seat Selection which let the passengers choose their own seats at a starting rate of 60 baht.
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