Air Transport

Hungarian flag-carrier Malev has taken delivery of its first Bombardier Q400 turboprop, one of four pre-owned examples being introduced by the airline.

The Q400 is registered HA-LQA, and is part of the fleet formerly operated by Scandinavian Airlines before the company withdrew the type last year.

Malev's aircraft arrived on 27 November and the carrier is to conduct final preparations to put it into service on regional routes.

The four turboprops will arrive over the winter period and start replacing Budapest-based Malev's Fokker 70 and Bombardier CRJ200 jets.

Malev chief executive Peter Leonov says the Q400 is "ideal" for short- and medium-haul services and will burn 30% less fuel than the jets, contributing to the "efficient operation of the airline".

Four new Q400s will also be brought into the Hungarian carrier's fleet from 2012.