ID :
41114
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 22:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/41114
The shortlink copeid
MANDALA AIRLINES REPLACES AGING PLANES WITH AIRBUSES
Surabaya, Jan 16 (ANTARA) - PT Mandala Airlines has replaced all its aging Boeing B737-200 and B737-400 aircraft with Airbus A319 and A320s to improve efficiency in operation and maintenance costs, the company's chief said.
"Mandala's decision to replace its aging Boeing aircraft with new Air Buses is part of our strategy to improve efficiency and make passengers feel more comfortable and enable them to enjoy flying in new airplanes at affordable ticket prices," Mandala Chief Executive Officer Warwick Brady said.
He made the statement in a press release distributed among the passengers of Mandala's last flight with a Boeing 737-400 from Jakarta to Surabaya on Thursday.
Brady also expressed his gratitude to Boeing company for enabling Mandala to use some of the US aircaft maker's products which had made it one of the best airline companies in Indonesia during the past two decades.
After its formation in 1969, Mandala had used Lockheed Electra and Vickers Viscount aircraft until 1992 when it began gradually modernizing its fleet by acquiring Boeing B737-200 and B737-400 aircraft and stopping the use of Lockheed Electras and Vickers Viscounts in 1995.
Meanwhile, Mandala spokesperson Trisia Megawati who also was on the last Boeing 737-400 flight said the company's fleet would continue to be expanded with A319 and A320 planes. Five leased Air Buses would arrive in December this year.
She said in its efforts to spread its wings across the country and overseas, Mandala would buy 30 more Airbus A320s at a total cost of US$1.8 billion and they would arrive in Indonesia between 2010 and 2014.
"The purchase of 30 new Air Buses has been confirmed and we have already made a down payment," Trisia said, adding that Mandala would continue to focus on domestic flights, especially to the western and eastern parts of Indonesia.
"Mandala's decision to replace its aging Boeing aircraft with new Air Buses is part of our strategy to improve efficiency and make passengers feel more comfortable and enable them to enjoy flying in new airplanes at affordable ticket prices," Mandala Chief Executive Officer Warwick Brady said.
He made the statement in a press release distributed among the passengers of Mandala's last flight with a Boeing 737-400 from Jakarta to Surabaya on Thursday.
Brady also expressed his gratitude to Boeing company for enabling Mandala to use some of the US aircaft maker's products which had made it one of the best airline companies in Indonesia during the past two decades.
After its formation in 1969, Mandala had used Lockheed Electra and Vickers Viscount aircraft until 1992 when it began gradually modernizing its fleet by acquiring Boeing B737-200 and B737-400 aircraft and stopping the use of Lockheed Electras and Vickers Viscounts in 1995.
Meanwhile, Mandala spokesperson Trisia Megawati who also was on the last Boeing 737-400 flight said the company's fleet would continue to be expanded with A319 and A320 planes. Five leased Air Buses would arrive in December this year.
She said in its efforts to spread its wings across the country and overseas, Mandala would buy 30 more Airbus A320s at a total cost of US$1.8 billion and they would arrive in Indonesia between 2010 and 2014.
"The purchase of 30 new Air Buses has been confirmed and we have already made a down payment," Trisia said, adding that Mandala would continue to focus on domestic flights, especially to the western and eastern parts of Indonesia.
