German carrier Air Berlin is to put its first Bombardier Q400 turboprop into service on 10 november, operating the route from Dusseldorf to Stuttgart.

The aircraft, registered D-ABQA, is one of 10 for which the airline was confirmed as a customer earlier this year.

"Use of these comfortable and fuel-efficient turboprops - that can travel at speeds approaching those of jets - enables us to obtain a significant cost reduction over the previously-deployed Fokker 100s," says Air Berlin chief Joachim Hunold.

 Air Belrin Q400
 © Air Berlin

The aircraft are configured with 76 seats and are being leased to Air Berlin partner, Dortmund-based LGW, which will operate them on short-haul routes.

Air Berlin, which is financing the order through HSH Nordbank, will take delivery of a second Q400 this month for services from Dusseldorf to Paris, Hamburg and Dresden. The carrier has an option to take another 10 of the type.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news