Aircraft
Indonesia’s first ATR 72-500s enter service
Lion Air subsidiary Wings Air last month introduced the first three ATR 72-500s to the Indonesian market.

Lion Air subsidiary Wings Air last month introduced the first three ATR 72-500s to the Indonesian market. Wings Air celebrated the milestone with a ceremony in Manado attended by Indonesian transportation minister Freddy Numberi and North Sulawesi governor SH Sarundajang.

Plans call for Wings Air to use the 72-seat turboprops to fly on routes now served by its own aging MD-80s and increase frequencies to destinations served with Lion Air Boeing 737-900ERs. It expects to introduce the remaining 12 of 15 airplanes on firm order this year and next. It also holds an option for 15 ATR 72-600s, now undergoing flight testing in Toulouse, France, and scheduled to enter service next year.