Malindo Air to get new Boeing planes

Kirana: ‘The new technology allows the aircraft to burn less fuel.’

LANGKAWI: Lion Group is spending US$23bil to buy new Boeing 737 Max and Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft for Malindo Air.

Co-founder of Lion Group, Rusdi Kirana said Malindo Air would be the first in the world to use the Boeing 737 Max, which could generate 20% savings in fuel cost.

“The first of the Boeing 737 Max will be delivered over a 10-year period starting in May.

“The Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) are in the process of being delivered,” Kirana said after making the announcement at Lima 2017.

Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandra Rama Muthy said the Boeing 737 Max offered lower operating costs with better fuel efficiency due to its new engines and aerodynamic improvements, including the advanced technology winglets.

“The new technology allows the aircraft to burn less fuel and lowers operational costs, allowing us to offer competitive fares,” he added.

Chandran added that the new aircraft was able to cover further destinations flying for 7 hours and 30 minutes.

“This will help attract tourists to our country as it will drive down the costs of air fare.

“It is a single-aisle aircraft that will generate a 20% lower fuel use than the first Next-Generation 737s, making it the lowest operating cost in its class – 8% per seat less than its nearest competitor,” he added.

Malindo Air currently has 16 ATR72-600 and 26 Boeing 737NG next generation aircraft as of 2017.