Indonesia's PT. Lion Mentari Airlines is going to buy 60 new Boeing 737 planes, valued at 3.9 billion U.S. dollars.

This is part of the company's ambitious plan to be a major player in the cheaper carrier-flight business in Southeast Asia, the company's spokesman was quoted by Asian Wall Street Journal as saying Thursday.

The agreement will be signed in Washington during the state visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said Hasyim Arsal Al-habsyi.

Lion Air chooses Boeing 737 due to the uniformity of the fleet and the ease of maintenance, he added.

A spokesman of the Boeing confirmed that the U.S. giant of aerospace has made negotiation with the Lion Air, but declined to elaborate.

The delivery of the planes will be made from the beginning of 2006 to 2007.

Source: Xinhua