Thai Lion Air (SL, Bangkok Don Mueang) has taken delivery of the world's first B737-9 following the handing over of HS-LSH (msn 42991) on Wednesday, March 21. The aircraft will be deployed into service from April 2 onwards on flights from Bangkok Don Mueang to Chiang Mai and Hat Yai locally as well as Guangzhou and Jinan in China and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta in Indonesia.

Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait said a total of four B737 MAX 9s would be placed with the Thai budget carrier over the course of the year. They will be used to develop services to Bangladesh, China, and India among other new destinations.

Thai Lion Air also operates eleven B737-800s and seventeen B737-900(ER)s as well as three A330-300s on flights covering Thailand, China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, and Taiwan.