Italian carrier Blue Panorama is to acquire up to 12 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft.

Sources familiar with the agreement said during the Paris air show that the Italian airline would take eight aircraft and put options on another four.

Blue Panorama was an early customer for the Boeing 787 but, after several changes to the agreement, eventually cancelled.

The Rome-based operator uses Boeing 767-300ERs, 757-200s and 737-400s.

Neither Blue Panorama nor Sukhoi could immediately be reached to comment.

Italy has close involvement with the Superjet programme through Alenia, and previous sales campaigns have pursued ItAli Airlines and Alitalia.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news