Air Transport

Ethiopian Airlines has inked a deal with Bombardier for eight next-generation Bombardier Q400 turboprops, with options for four more aircraft.

Based on the list price, Ethiopian's firm order is worth roughly $242 million. The order value could increase to about $366 million if the four options are exercised.

The carrier currently does not have any Bombardier aircraft in its fleet, which largely comprises Boeing aircraft including five 737-700s, nine 757-200s, a single 757-200PF and 10 767-300ERs. Ethiopian also has 10 787s on order.

The airline plans to use its 70-seat Q400s for domestic and intracontinental destinations.

"The aircraft's excellent range and payload capability will allow us to deploy it on domestic routes within Ethiopia, as well as on regional routes up to 1,000nm (1,850 km) from Addis Ababa," Ethiopian CEO Girma Wake says in a statement.

This transaction increases Q400 firm orders to 330 aircraft, with 210 delivered as of 31 July, the airframer says. It adds that, including this transaction, the Dash 8Q-series aircraft programme has recorded firm orders for a total of 1,001 aircraft.