Polish regional carrier Eurolot has signed a firm order with Bombardier Aerospace to acquire eight Q400 NextGen airliners for $246m on list prices as part of its fleet renewal and route expansion programme.
The order also includes options for 12 additional aircraft and should all options be exercised, the contract value would increase to $625m.
Eurolot president and CEO Mariusz Dabrowski said that the new Q400 aircraft are part of its fleet renewal programme and route expansion plans.
"We require aircraft with excellent operational flexibility, which is absolutely essential in the very competitive European environment," Dabrowski said.
Eurolot currently has a fleet of 14 aircraft, which serve both domestic and international destinations.
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By GlobalDataBombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone added: "With its enhanced interior, the Q400 NextGen airliner provides an even more comfortable environment for passengers, while the aircraft’s reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions provide a ‘comfortably greener’ solution for operators and will ultimately help the aviation industry reach its emissions reduction targets."
The company added that 19 new operators have opted to acquire Q400 aircraft in the last three years, and that Eurolot will be the first Polish operator.
The new 70 to 80 seat Q400 NextGen turboprop uses 30-40% less fuel and also reduces emissions by that amount. The aircraft is also 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards, the company said.
Bombardier is planning to fly the Q400 aircraft using fuel from an oilseed crop as part of biofuel test programme launched in 2010.
Including the current deal, Bombardier has received firm orders for 428 Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft, with 389 delivered as of December last year.
Image: Eurolot has placed the order for 20 aircraft to support its fleet renewal programme and route expansion plans. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.
