WestJet

Canada-based regional airline WestJet Encore has placed a firm order to buy nine Q400 turboprop jets from Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

The deal, valued at $293m based on the list price, is a conversion of options booked by the carrier’s parent company WestJet.

Once completed, the deal will increase WestJet Encore’s fleet to 45 Q400 aircraft.

WestJet Encore president Ferio Pugliese said: "Bombardier’s Toronto-built Q400 turboprop airliner has allowed us to expand from our Western Canada base to more and more communities from coast to coast across Canada and into the US and welcome more guests to experience WestJet’s hospitality.

"These nine new superb Q400 aircraft will continue to grow our network."

Part of Bombardier’s Q series family of aircraft, the Q400 aircraft are designed to provide standard single-class configuration, as well as an optional dual-class interior configuration; an optional extra-capacity configuration offering up to 90 seats; and in a cargo-passenger combi configuration.

Currently, the Q400 aircraft family has over 60 owners and operators in almost 40 countries.

So far, Bombardier has received firm orders for a total of 556 Q400 aircraft.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft regional aircraft vice president Kevin Smith said: "In just three years WestJet Encore’s operations have grown from two Q400 aircraft serving just two cities, to 28 aircraft serving 36 destinations in Canada and the US.

"In just three years WestJet Encore’s operations have grown from two Q400 aircraft serving just two cities, to 28 aircraft serving 36 destinations in Canada and the US."

"With this order, WestJet Encore has 17 aircraft still to be delivered which will allow further expansion of the airline’s network.

"This continuing build-up of WestJet Encore’s fleet is a strong testimonial to the Q400 aircraft’s economics, reliability, flexibility and passenger appeal."

In December last year, Bombardier received an order, valued at around $63m based on the list price, from Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise (Ethiopian Airlines) for two more Q400 turboprop aircraft.

The order would bring Ethiopian Airlines’ Q400 aircraft fleet to a total of 19 aircraft.

Image: A Bombardier Q400 turboprop. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.