The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Jakarta-based Lion Air celebrated the delivery of the airline’s 10th Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane. The airplane, shown here during a test flight, will be used by the airline to expand its service with new destinations throughout South and Southeast Asia.
The airline’s 737-900ERs are equipped with performance-enhancing Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 4 percent.
Boeing launched the 737-900ER program in July 2005 when Lion Air announced the initial order for 30 of the newest 737 model. The airline received the world’s first 737-900ER in April 2007 and has ordered a total of 178 737-900ERs.
The 737-900ER has substantial economic advantages over competing models, including 6 percent lower operating costs per trip and 4 percent lower operating costs per seat than its competitor — which is more than 9,550 pounds (4,340 kg) heavier. The 737-900ER joins the 737-600, -700, -700ER and -800 airplanes and will share the same industry-leading reliability of the other Next-Generation 737 series models.
Lion Air, which operates an all-Boeing fleet and is the largest low-fare airline in Asia, serves nearly 1 million passengers per month. The airline began operations in June 2000.
Photo: Boeing
