Canadian operator Porter Airlines has placed a firm order for another two Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, as previously suggested by the carrier's chief executive officer Robert Deluce.

The two turboprops were the last aircraft remaining in Porter's original order for 10 firm and 10 options placed in 2006.

Deluce told the Raymond James Growth Airline conference in February that the last two options would "soon be spoken for".

The latest order is valued at about $54 million based on the aircraft list price and it occurs as Porter prepares to inaugurate its third US destination, Boston, on 14 September.

Porter has 12 Q400s in service, according to Flight's ACAS database, and more aircraft are scheduled for delivery this year.

Six deliveries are planned between this September and December, followed by the remaining two 70-seaters next spring, a Porter spokesman says.

Porter's announcement increases Bombardier's firm orders for Q400 aircraft to 357, of which 245 have been delivered as of 30 April 2009.

The carrier plans to eventually offer at least 17 short-haul Canadian and US destinations. With the addition of Boston, the number of total markets served by Porter rises to 10.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news