Indonesian budget carrier Lion Air may be the first one to introduce the new Boeing 737 MAX 10 to its customers, according to three reliable sources who are close to the people making plans about it. The new Boeing plane will become the largest member of its 737 medium-haul jet family.
In an article published in Reuters, Lion Air might launch the Boeing 737 MAX 10 at the Paris Airshow this Monday, June 19. The order of the new plane may, however, include some aircraft originally ordered in a smaller size and upgraded to a proposed new 190- to 230-seat model, according to the two reliable sources.
Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait confirmed that Lion Air will indeed be the launch customer for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, although he did not provide immediately the number of planes ordered. Boeing declined to give a comment about it.
In an article published by The New York Times, it is not only the Lion Air that is studying about the Boeing 737 MAX 19. Indian budget carrier SpiceJet Ltd is also among the carriers seen as a potential target for the aircraft, according to one source. However, SpiceJet has yet to give a comment about the incident.
Just like Lion Air, the United Airlines is also closely studying the Boeing 737 MAX 10 as the company pitches for a marquee customer in launching the fifth variant of its 737 MAX family. United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz declined to give a comment.
Jet Airways Ltd, India's biggest full-service carrier by market share, is in talks of buying 75 single-aisle aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing. The one with the Boeing 737 MAX 10 would be dependent on the launch of Lion Air, a source said.
If the deal is awarded to Jet Airways, they would buy some new Boeing 737 MAX 10 model according to all the sources. They refused to be named because the talks should remain confidential.
Lion Air ordered 201 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft back in 2012. The Indonesian airline also placed options for another 150.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
