Lion joins Chorus line

By October 28, 2018 January 16th, 2020 General News

Regional aircraft lessor Chorus Aviation (Canada) is to lease a quartet of new ATR 72-600s to Indonesia’s Lion Air Group.

The first will be delivered during this quarter, with the remaining three during the first half of 2019. The turboprops will likely be operated by members of the Lion Air Group in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The transaction marks the second multi-aircraft leasing transaction in Southeast Asia for Chorus, and expands the lessor’s business to 12 lessees in 12 countries, with a total of 78 aircraft. “We are very pleased to add Lion Air to our portfolio, expanding our global network of customers in line with Chorus’ vision to deliver regional aviation to the world,” said Steve Ridolfi, president, Chorus Aviation Capital. “We are proud to have earned the trust of exceptional customers and continue to evaluate multiple opportunities as we expand our leasing business.”

Edward Sirait, chief executive officer at Lion Air Group, said he was ” delighted to start this new relationship with Chorus, as a lessor.”

Nova Scotia-headquartered Chorus Aviation Capital’s customers now include Aeromexico Connect, Air Nostrum, Azul Airlines, CityJet, Ethiopian Airlines, Flybe, Falcon Aviation Services, KLM Cityhopper, Lion Air Group, Philippine Airlines, Virgin Australia and its Chorus affiliate, Jazz Aviation.

The Jakarta-based Lion Air Group comprises PT Lion Mentari Airlines (Lion Air), Wings Air, Batik Air, Lion Bizjet, Malindo Air (based in Malaysia) and Thai Lion Air (based in Thailand), and now has a fleet of 304 aircraft.