Lion Air Orders Put Spotlight on Indonesia

18.02.2012

Indonesia's Lion Air is among the least-known major airlines in the world. But recent moves to expand its fleet are putting the company on the map—and drawing attention to the country's potential as a top growth market for aviation.

That expansion could expose the airline to the same heated competition that is pinching other carriers in the region, however.

Lion Air on Wednesday said it would order 27 ATR aircraft to give the airline more flexibility to reach the smaller airports among Indonesia's far-flung islands. ATR is a joint venture of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.