Transport Canada has certified the 90-seat variant of Bombardier's Q400, paving the way for the Montreal-based airframer to deliver the type to launch customer SpiceJet.
Bombardier will deliver the first of those aircraft later this year, it says.
The Montreal-based airframer firmed an order from India's SpiceJet for 25 90-seat Q400s in 2017, but the type had not until now received Canadian regulatory approval.
Bombardier says the 90-seat Q400 costs 15% less to operate per seat than Q400s in a traditional 78-seat layout.
"Combined with the Q400 aircraft’s unique speed flexibility, which is driving higher scheduling efficiency, this new segment solution is perfectly adapted to high-demand turboprop markets and will further enhance economic connectivity between smaller towns and major hubs," Bombardier says in a media release.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
