Lion Air Denies Obama Pressured to Purchase Boeing 230 Aircraft

Indonesian National Airline, Lion Air, recently agreed to purchase 230 Boeing aircraft manufactured by the U.S. There is rumor that Lion Air is “pressured” by the White House for the purchase of the aircrafts with the highest value in Boeing's history.

Lion Air

But when being confirmed about it, Director of Operations Lion Air, Edward Sirait, denied that there is any pressure from President Barack Obama to purchase the aircraft which the value reached IDR 195 trillion.

"I do not want to respond to the news, the proses between Boeing and us is normal process. We perform normal business processes with no other interests, "said Edward to detikFinance, Friday (12/02/2011).

Edward added that the relationship between Lion and Boeing is pure relationship business. So he will not respond to rumors that stated there was coercion in the purchase of 230 aircraft.

The agreement between Boeing and Lion is the biggest business deal ever made by Boeing, with more than 200 aircraft orders. The Government and the U.S. Export-Import Bank is the facilitator for this agreement.