Ayres has made its first sale of the Ayres 7000,formerly the Czech-built Let L-610, with an order for two from Burundi, Africa-based regional City Connexion.
The $17 million deal was signed at the show by Airline Partners, based in Lugano, Switzerland, which is the exclusive worldwide agent for the Ayres 7000. US company Ayres bought the Czech manufacturer earlier this year.
The two 44-seat aircraft, one of which appeared at the show, will be delivered to City Connexion in the first quarter of next year.
The General Electric CT7-9D-powered turboprops, which also feature Western avionics, will be used on regional routes from Burundi.
"We already operate a fleet of four L-410s which provide regional services between Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Uganda," says Neil Robertson, chief executive of City Connexion.
Airline Partners is also marketing the Ayres 7000 in freighter, military and medical evacuation configurations, with the type being considered by a number of armies.
Source: Flight International