Indonesia's Lion Group Buys 40 French Italian Aircraft

London, Nov 28 (Antara) - Indonesia`s Lion Group has bought 40 French-Italian aircraft ATR72-600s type, according to Minister Counselor of the Socio-cultural and Information Section of the Indonesian Embassy Nindarsari Utomo. The contract was signed by Lion Air`s President Rusdi Kirana in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Deputy Chief of the Mission of Indonesian Embassy in Chigi Palace, Rome, Italy, on Thursday. With the latest purchase, Lion Group now owns 100 ATR turboprops aircraft making Lion Air the largest buyer of ATR aircraft. The ATR-72 aircraft purchase deal signed by Indonesia Lion Group is an exceptional achievement for Italy, PM Renzi stated. He considered the contract as a realization of the long-term collaboration between the two countries and a step toward stronger strategic alliance in the future. Renzi noted that the signing of the next ATR purchase deal will be held in Indonesia. ATR`s CEO Patrick de Castelbajac said the ATR turboprops type has 80 percent global market share. Further, he emphasized, Lion Group is the first company that has purchased up to 100 aircraft. Lion Group`s President Rusdi Kirana observed that with a population of 250 million, of which 60 percent are youth, Indonesia has huge growth potentials. He said he believed that President Joko Widodo will build more airports and ports in Indonesia, as the new aircraft will need proper infrastructure. Rusdi explained that Lion Group also owns other types of aircraft such as Airbus and Boeing.