Indonesia`s Lion Air plans to become major regional player

Jakarta (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) - The country's largest private airline Lion Air said it is set to become a major regional player by establishing subsidiaries in neighboring countries.

Chief spokesman of PT Lion Mentari Airlines Hasyim Arsal Alhabsi said the company plans to acquire a majority stake in a number of local airlines or establish new airlines in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The expansion plan follow delivery of some of the 122 Boeing 737-900ER planes it has ordered from Boeing, Alhabsi said.