Yesterday at the show Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum ordered up to 20 ATR 72-600s and Royal Air Maroc formally signedits deal covering two ATR 42-600s and four ATR 72-600s.

Air Nostrum has been on a shopping spree at this year's show. On Sunday it confirmed a firm order for 35 Bombardier CRJ1000s, after formalising an agreement to take a further 15 of the type and converting some backlogged CRJ900s. It is now building on this with an order for 10 ATR 72-600s, plus 10 options.

The ATR 72-600, which is a successor to ATR's -500 series aircraft, is due for certification in 2010 with initial deliveries beginning in 2011. Air Nostrum industry affairs director Alberto Garcia Torres says the airline will be among the early customers for the ATR 72-600, although exact delivery dates are still under negotiation.

Royal Air Maroc is also taking ATR's new -600 series aircraft. It clincheda deal for two ATR 42-600s and four ATR 72-600s in March. The contractwas formally signed by chief executiveDriss Benhima at the ATR chalet yesterday. The Moroccan carrier is taking the aircraft for its new domestic subsidiary, Royal Air Maroc Express, which will launch using leased ATRs.

Source: Flight Daily News