India's SpiceJet has approved plans to order up to 30 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, to be delivered from the second quarter of next year.

SpiceJet confirms the decision by its board of directors today in a statement to the Mumbai stock exchange.

It states that it will use the aircraft to "enhance regional connectivity" by focusing on second-tier and third-tier cities.

Delhi-based SpiceJet's fleet comprises Boeing 737 aircraft.

Earlier this year it stated that it had postponed plans to develop a regional feeder airline which would have used Bombardier, Embraer or ATR aircraft.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news