Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum has placed an order for 10 ATR 72-600s, building on its firm commitment to 35 Bombardier CRJ1000s which was formally detailed earlier this week.

Air Nostrum inked the ATR 72-600 deal at the Paris Air Show today, at the same time taking options on a further 10 of the type.

The ATR 72-600, which is a successor to the -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.

 ATR 72-600
 © ATR

ATR chief executive Stephane Mayer says the order represents a "clear vote of confidence" from Air Nostrum, which has been operating ATR aircraft since 1998.

Air Nostrum chief Carlos Bertomeu Martinez adds: "This is a logical step in our fleet policy. We are happy with the aircraft. Our passengers like the ATRs and our pilots like the ATRs."

On 14 June Air Nostrum confirmed firm orders for 35 Bombardier CRJ1000 aircraft, after formalising an agreement to take a further 15 of the type and converting some backlogged CRJ900s.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news