Caribbean Airlines has taken delivery of the first of nine ATR 72-600 aircraft as part of a $200m order.

The order is part of the airline’s plan to replace its existing fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300s with the new ATR aircraft.

The 68-seat ATR 72-600 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney 127M engine offering 2,750hp at take-off, with a maximum take-off weight of 23,000kg and a range of 899 miles with full passenger load.

The carrier will use the new aircraft to boost passenger capacity and develop new routes and frequencies within Trinidad and Tobago.