SpiceJet orders 15 planes from Bombardier

Toronto: In a major deal for the burgeoning Indian aviation market, Bombardier Thursday won a $446 million (Dh1.63 billion) order from SpiceJet airline for 15 turboprop aircraft.

Though the Canadian company has sold regional jets to Indian companies, it is the first time that it has won an order for Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft. Compared to big aircraft which use a jet engine to fuel them, turboprops use a gas turbine. Optimised for short-haul operations, these 70 to 80 seaters are fast, quiet and fuel efficient.

In a statement, the Montreal-based Bombardier said that SpiceJet has placed a firm order for 15 Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners and has taken options on an additional 15 airliners.

The SpiceJet order is valued at $446 million, and could increase to $915 million if all 15 options are converted to firm orders, Bombardier said.

"This is a very important order for us as it establishes the Q400 NextGen airliner in India," Gary R. Scott, president for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, said in the statement. He said, "We expect India to take delivery of 600 commercial aircraft in the 20 to 149-seat category over the next 20 years, suited to capture a sizeable portion of those deliveries.